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Tag: pilgrims

  • NAHCON airlifts 20,515 Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia in one week

    NAHCON airlifts 20,515 Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia in one week

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says it has transported 20,515 Nigerian pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj in one week.

    NAHCON disclosed this in a statement by its Principal Information Officer, Malam Shafil Mohammed, in Abuja on Friday.

    NAN reports that Vice-President Kashim Shettima had on May 9 declared the inaugural flight open in Owerri, Imo.

    Mohammed, while providing an update on the ongoing 2025 Hajj airlift operations, said that within six days, 50 flights have successfully conveyed 20,515 Nigerian pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    He said that the commission would regularly update the public on the  exercise progress.

    NAHCON is a government’s agency that regulates and coordinates Hajj and Umrah activities for Nigerian Muslims to ensure a smoother and more efficient pilgrimage experience.

    This includes licensing and supervising organisations involved in Hajj and Umrah operations, and coordinating with government authorities in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

  • CBN approves cash-based BTA for 2025 Hajj

    CBN approves cash-based BTA for 2025 Hajj

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has approved the request by the 2025 Hajj intending pilgrims to be granted cash transactions for the holy pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    This followed the intervention of Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who appealed to President Bola Tinubu on behalf of the pilgrims through the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that CBN had earlier in the year introduced a new payment method for Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) for Nigerians embarking on the 2025 hajj pilgrimage.

    There had however been concerns that the hitherto use of mandatory debit cards proposed by the CBN for the pilgrimage would endanger the smooth planning, operation, and performance at the 2025 Hajj.

    Addressing newsmen after a meeting with the Vice-President, NAHCON’s Commissioner for Policy, Personnel Management and Finance, Aliu Abdulrazaq, confirmed that the CBN has granted Nigerian pilgrims the opportunity of cash transactions for upcoming hajj

    According to Abdulrazaq the meeting was prompted by the policy of the Federal Government on the card for Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) for 2025 Hajj operations.

    ”Out of the magnanimity of the CBN and appeal made by the Vice President, the idea of a card for pilgrims in the 2025 Hajj has been dropped.

    “This is a landmark achievement for NAHCON. If you go to Saudi Arabia, mostly the areas where the pilgrims are going to perform their rituals, there is only one Automated Teller Machine there.

    “And it is always crowded and poses so many difficulties for pilgrims to purchase whatever they want to purchase.”

    ”But now we are confident that the Hajj operations will be very seamless for the pilgrims, as all arrangements are in top gear, even the BTA that was our fear has now been addressed.”

    Similarly, the NAHCON’s Secretary, Dr Mustapha Ali, clarified that the change was neither a concession nor a subsidy from the Federal Government.

    ”There is a need for clarification. It is not a concession or intervention by the Federal Government. It is not a subsidy either.

    ”The Vice-President intervened because most of the pilgrims make purchases in the streets of Mecca or Medina, and they do not need debit cards to make their purchases.

    “Now it is allowed for them to carry cash. The CBN will provide the cash at the market rate,” he explained.

    In the same vein, Malam Abba Aliyu, Director of Human Resources, CBN and Board member representing the CBN in NAHCON, explained that the apex bank intervention was borne out of interest for the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.

    ”Looking at the financial literacy of the pilgrims, there is need for us to make life easy for them because a lot of them do not know how to operate the ATM,” he said.

  • Adamawa commission refunds N157.9m to pilgrims

    Adamawa commission refunds N157.9m to pilgrims

    The Adamawa State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Commission has refunded N157,952.880 million to 2,586 pilgrims who performed the 2023 pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

    This was contained in a statement signed by Aisha Sa’ad, the commission’s information officer on Monday in Yola.

    The statement said that the fund refunded was given to pilgrims as a compensation for the poor services rendered to them while in the holy land.

    “Each pilgrim who performed Hajj (pilgrimage) in 2023 was paid N61,080 for poor services rendered by the service providers at the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    “The kingdom of Saudi Arabia has refunded money to Nigeria through National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to be shared among the 36 States of the country.

    “The sum of 150 Saudi Riyals which is equivalent to N157,952.880 was given to Adamawa State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Commission by the NAHCON to be shared to 2,586 Pilgrims that performed the 2023 Hajj exercise,” it added.

    The statement said that the disbursement was done ssuccessfully with all the beneficiaries rreceiving payment through their bank accounts.

  • 1,301 pilgrims died in 2024 Hajj- Saudi Arabia Authority reveals

    1,301 pilgrims died in 2024 Hajj- Saudi Arabia Authority reveals

    Saudi Arabia has announced that 1,301 pilgrims died during this year’s hajj.

    The country’s minister of health, Fahd Al-Jalajel, in an interview on Sunday, said 83 per cent of the 1,301 fatalities were unauthorised pilgrims who walked long distances in high temperatures to perform the hajj rituals.

    The minister said 95 pilgrims were being treated in hospitals, some of whom were airlifted for treatment in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

    He said, “1,301 people died during the #Hajj1445 season. May Allah have mercy on them all, 83% of them are not authorised for Hajj, who walked long distances under the sun, without shelter or rest, including a number of elderly people and people with chronic diseases.” 

    On May 26, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) said Tawakaltu Alako, a Nigerian pilgrim, slumped and died in her hotel at Makkah.

    Following this incident, NAHCON has reported many more deaths in this year’s hajj.

    Abubakar Adamu, head of Nigeria’s medical team for 2024 Hajj, had told journalists on July 17, that one of the Nigerian pilgrims died due to heatstroke while on his way to Jamrate to perform the ritual of throwing stones.

    Temperatures in Mecca this year climbed as high as 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit).

    Mohammed Al-Abdulaali, a spokesperson for the Saudi health ministry, had said that more than 2,760 pilgrims suffered from sunstroke and heat stress on July 16 alone.

  • Exchange rate: NAHCON advises pilgrims on how to pay hajj fare

    Exchange rate: NAHCON advises pilgrims on how to pay hajj fare

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has advised intending pilgrims to pay the Hajj fare according to the prevailing dollar exchange rate on the day of payment.

    Mrs Fatima Sanda-Usara, the Assistant Director, Public Affairs, NAHCON, said this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Sanda-Usara noted that the cost of hajj fare for this year is set at $5,692.25 dollars.

    “It is essential to note on March 24 that the exchange rate for the Nigerian Naira to the US Dollar stood at N1,474.62.

    “However, due to the fluctuating nature of exchange rates, intending pilgrims are advised to pay the Hajj fare according to the prevailing dollar exchange rate on the day of payment.

    “This flexibility is crucial to accommodate any changes in the exchange rate.

    “In the event of a change in the dollar’s value at the time of final remittance into the commission’s IBAN account, pilgrims will either receive a refund or the balance will be reconciled accordingly at the appropriate time.”

    She reiterated that NAHCON remained committed to ensuring a smooth and transparent process for all intending pilgrims.

    Sanda-Usara urged intending pilgrims to stay informed about any update regarding the hajj fare payment.

  • 2023 Hajj: Nigeria loses 14 pilgrims in Saudi Arabia

    2023 Hajj: Nigeria loses 14 pilgrims in Saudi Arabia

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has revealed that Nigeria lost 14 pilgrims in Saudi Arabia from the beginning of ongoing 2023 hajj operation to date.

    Dr Usman Galadima, Chief of Operations and Head of the NAHCON National Medical Team, made this known during a post-Arafat meeting with stakeholders on Sunday in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    Galadima explained that seven pilgrims died before Arafat, six died during the five-day Mashair (core Hajj period) and additional one person died after the Arafat.

    “We had six reported death at Mashair, four died in Arafat and the other two died in Mina. Already we lost seven pilgrims before Arafat and just now I have just been informed that we lost another pilgrim. This brings the total of deaths recorded to 14.

    “The mortality rate is similar to that of 2019,” he said.

    He also revealed that the medical team recorded three cases of chickenpox during the core hajj period and the affected pilgrims were immediately moved out of the area as a preventive measure to avoid the spread of the disease.

    Galadima also disclosed that the team recorded two deliveries during the period of hajj ritual in Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah, adding that one of the pregnant women delivered on the road, while the second one was brought to the clinic and delivered safely.

    He emphasised the need for a thorough pre-hajj medical screening with the issuance of a certificate of medical fitness.

    He also said that elderly pilgrims and those that are very sick should be discouraged from participating in the symbolic devil stoning at Jamrat because of the stress involved.

    In his presentation, the NAHCON Head of Aviation, Alhaji Goni Sanda, disclosed that the transport of pilgrims back to Nigeria would begins on Tuesday, July 4.

    He said the policy of first in, first out would strictly be applied in the evacuation of the pilgrims back to Nigeria.

    He further stated that the Saudi authorities have a policy that in the first two weeks, the air carriers would not operate maximally due to the volume of traffic and the large number of aircraft involved in the evacuation of pilgrims from different countries, as well as the fact that virtually all planes will take off from one Airport, the King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah.

    He stated that in the first two weeks of the start of the transportation of pilgrims, Flynas would only utilise four of it six aircraft for the operation, adding that the other two are undergoing some checks and maintenance.

    Also, the Commissioner, Operations of NAHCON, Alhaji Abdullahi Hardawa, said the commission had resolved to ensure that pilgrims fully obey its luggage policy during their return journey to Nigeria.

    He recalled that in 2022, there was a breach, but pledged that such breaches would not be tolerated this year, so as to have a seamless operation.

    He decried the attitude of some pilgrims, particularly the females, who go to the airport with multiple bags all in the name of hand luggage, warning that this time the situation would not be accepted.

    He therefore called on officials of state pilgrims boards to inform their pilgrims about the policy to avoid any inconveniences and unnecessary delays at the airport.

    “The airline operators have bitterly complained about this untoward behaviour of some pilgrims, which put lives of other passengers in  the aircraft at risk. This time it will not be business as usual.

    “And for fear of losing some valuables at the airport, the pilgrims should abide by the 32kg luggage policy, or they should avail themselves with the cargo window.”

  • Christian Pilgrims boss warns Christians against absconding during pilgrimage

    Christian Pilgrims boss warns Christians against absconding during pilgrimage

    The Executive Secretary, Plateau State- Christian Pilgrims Board, Rev. Fr. George Gorap, has warned pilgrims undergoing the 2023 Christian pilgrimage to Jordan and Israel to shun any plan to abscond while performing the pilgrimage.

    Gorap issued the warning on Sunday while pilgrims from Plateau, Ekiti, Osun and Kwara states were undergoing the pilgrimage exercise in Jordan and Israel.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Gorap urged the pilgrims to be law-abiding to enable their states to maintain their good name in and outside Nigeria.

    In his words: “It is believed that people come here knowing exactly why they are here but on the other hand some people want to abscond and it is quite unfortunate.

    “The best place to be is at home, people make the mistake of thinking far from the essence and the importance of coming here as pilgrims.

    “We hope that after this exercise, these Nigerians will return home and grow the country together.”

    “Therefore, I urge you to shun the urge to abscond because if you are caught, you will face the full wrath of the law,” he advised.

    According to him, the pilgrimage helps Christians to grow, unites Christians from all denominations and brings unity as a whole.

    He said above all, pilgrimage prepared a believer for his final journey to heaven, adding that it was a reminder that humans were mere pilgrims on earth on a journey to heaven.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that a pilgrim is a traveler who is on a journey to a holy place.

    Typically, this is a physical journey to some place of special significance to the adherent of a particular religious belief system.

    In the spiritual literature of Christianity, the concept of pilgrim and pilgrimage may refer to the experience of life in the world or to the inner path of the spiritual aspirant from a state of wretchedness to a state of beatitude.

  • Helicopter carrying pilgrims’ crashes, killing 6

    Helicopter carrying pilgrims’ crashes, killing 6

    A helicopter carrying pilgrims to Kedarnath in India’s Himalayan region crashed on Tuesday, killing all six on board, a police official said.

    Two pilots and four pilgrims died in the crash in the northern state of Uttarakhand, its police chief, Ashok Kumar, told Reuters by telephone, adding that a rescue team had been sent to the site.

    Footage from Reuters partner ANI showed smoke billowing from a spot nestled in between some hills, surrounded by dark clouds.

    It is too early to determine the cause of the accident, but poor weather could be a factor, Kumar added.

    Kedarnath is a key pilgrimage site that is shut every winter.(

  • Delta transports 312 Christian pilgrims to Jordan

    Delta transports 312 Christian pilgrims to Jordan

    No fewer than 312 Christian pilgrims from Delta were on Monday transported to the Holy land, Jordan in Israel through the Port Harcourt International Airport.

    The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev.  Yakubu Pam, at the departure briefing in Asaba, warned the intending pilgrims against absconding.

    The NCPC boss, represented by the Director of Mobilization, Mr Chris Udegbunam, lauded Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa for his consistency in the sponsorship of Christians in the state on pilgrimage.

    Pam congratulated the intending pilgrims for their level of preparedness both spiritually and physically to embark on the journey of faith.

    According to him, ”it is the policy of the commission to achieve zero absconding of pilgrims in the Holy land.”

    He, therefore enjoined not to abscond, adding, ”he commission frowns seriously at it and would do everything humanly possible to discourage it.”

    Okowa, represented by the Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Johnbull Edema, urged the pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state and not bring disrepute to the state government.

    He said that as pilgrims they need to conduct themselves in a manner befitting and worthy of Christians.

    Okowa said  that the exercise would offer opportunity for the pilgrims to visit historical biblical sites they read in the Bible and to draw them closer to God.

    He urged them to pray and seek the face of God for the peace, unity and development of the state and county particularly as the nation gradually approaches the 2023 General Elections.

    In his remarks, the Chairman, Delta State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Most Rev. Cyril Odutemu, admonished the intending pilgrims to conduct themselves decently while in the Holy land.

    He warned them against unruly behavior in the Holy land and advised them not to do anything that would undermine the security of the host country.

    Also, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Apostle Samuel Okoh, charged the intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state and Nigeria.

  • 150 intending pilgrims denied visa for 2022 Hajj

    About 150 intending pilgrims from Oyo State has been denied visa to perform 2022 Hajj by Saudi authorities.
    The Chairman, Oyo State Pilgrim Welfare Board (Muslim Wing), Prof Sayed Malik disclosed this while addressing newsmen on Monday, in Ibadan.
    According to him, the denial of visa to the affected intending pilgrims by the Saudi authority on the 11th hour, was based on the recommendation of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria(NAHCON).
    He explained that 629 out of 43,000 slots given to Nigeria was allocated to Oyo State to perform the 2022 Hajj, despite that over 1,000 Muslims have already registered to perform the hajj.
    “To take care of the shortfall, we in Oyo State Pilgrim Welfare Board requested for additional slots from NAHCON.
    “And this was granted, as additional 150 slots were given to Oyo State, thereby increasing the State’s slots from 629 to 779.
    “Based on its correspondence with NAHCON, Oyo State Pilgrim Welfare Board made preparation for 779 pilgrims.
    “But the state’s slot was reduced to 629 few days before the pilgrims were scheduled to go to holy lands.
    “The board hereby regret that about 150 intending pilgrims from the state could not perform this year’s hajj,” he said.
    The chairman recalled that the holy exercise did not take place for two years as there was no pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina in 2020 and 2021 due to the outbreak of the COVID 19 pandemic.
    He explained that the resumption of Hajj in 2022 was characterized by a sharp increase in number of intending pilgrims who wanted to embark on the Holy pilgrimage.
    Malik, however, said that the State Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde had approved the payment of full funds to whoever among the affected people that intended to collect back their money.
    He assured those who wanted to use their money for the 2023 pilgrimage that they would be the first to be considered for the exercise.
    The chairman said that such individuals would not make any additional payment to the one they had made this year.
    He further announced that the board was committed to payment of Basic Travelling Allowances (BTA) to all the pilgrims in full, saying that none of the pilgrims would be short-changed or funds meant for payment of their BTA be diverted.
    “The truth of the matter is that there were delays in the release of BTA to the board as a result of the late release of the circular guiding the payment of allowances by the authorities.
    “This is not peculiar to Oyo State pilgrims, as all pilgrims across the states are faced with the same situation.
    “As a result of the delay, the first batch of pilgrims from Oyo State and several other states of the federation had to embark on the trip to Saudi Arabia before the BTA could be secured.
    “The delay, however, does not indicate that any of the pilgrims would lose their entitlements.
    “By the time the second batch of the pilgrims were leaving Nigeria, only a fraction of the entire BTA had been secured and it was concluded that each of the pilgrims be made to get $400 while those who were already in Saudi Arabia were paid $200 each, pending the release of the entire BTA.
    “It must be placed on record that the dollar scarcity which had hit the foreign exchange market is a key contributor to the delay to secure the required BTA.
    “While the delayed payment of the BTA is regretted, we have to place on record that there is no intention to divert anyone’s entitlement or deny any of the pilgrims their due,” he said.
    Giving update on air lifting of pilgrims from the state, the chairman said the first batch which consisted of 259 pilgrims were airlifted to Saudi Arabia on June 19 while the second made up of 81 pilgrims were airlifted on June 22.
    He said the third batch comprising 238 pilgrims were transported to Holy Land on July 2 and that the last batch of 60 pilgrims would be airlifted on Monday, July 4.