By Sule Aliyu, Bauchi
Bauchi State has announced the successful completion of 2024 Hajj operation as the back state flew in the last batch of 290 contingents from Saudi Tuesday.
The State Amirul Hajj team led by the Emir of Dass, Alh Usman Bilyaminu Othman and other officials returned home after spending 38 days in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The Executive Secretary of the Board commended the State Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad, for his doggedness in ensuring a seamless and hitch-free 2024 Hajj operation making the state one of the best in the exercise.
The Executive Secretary, Imam Abdurrahman Ibrahim, while answering questions from Journalists at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport (SATBIA) in Bauchi shortly after the last flight of the pilgrims landed late Tuesday.
“The 2024 Hajj operation was first of its kind in the history of the state considering the smooth and hitch-free conduct of the exercise.”
He also acknowledged that there were a lot of achievements of the operation because the Governor gave the expected support to the Board right from the preparation, the Hajj exercise and the return.
He attributed the recorded achievements to early preparations, the timely securing of visas for pilgrims and above all, the support and encouragement received from the Governor.
“You will recall that NAHCON suddenly increased the fare, this brought confusion but the Governor swiftly intervened by paying the increase for all the intending pilgrims then. This intervention really doused the tension generated.”
“The Governor also gave each of the pilgrims some amount of money which augmented the reduction in the BTA by NAHCON. He also visited the camp in Makkah and gave money as gifts to the Pilgrims for the celebration of the Eid-El Adha.”
The state Hajj board boss also said that throughout the exercise, the Governor was up and doing, going round all the places the pilgrims were to ensure that they got the best of welfare treatment.
“The Governor ensured that we got the best of accommodation and food as well as medical attention. It was indeed a rare display of service by the Governor.”
He further thanked all the Hajj operation stakeholders who made contributed to the success of the exercise, praying to Allah to reward everyone.
The last batch of a total of 290 pilgrims including the Amirul Hajj team led by the Emir of Dass, Alh Usman Bilyaminu Othman and other officials returned home after spending 38 days in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The contingent arrived at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport, Bauchi aboard MaxAir flight NGL 265 at exactly 2:50 pm to the admiration of the crowd that turned out to receive them.
Among the returnees were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Hajj Affairs, Hon. Shehu Alh. Wadaji; the Chairman of the Board, Alh. Nuru Adamu Jumba and his members as well as Islamic preachers, Hajj Guides, Medical team among other pilgrims.
On his part, the Chairman Publicity Committee of the 2024 Amerul Hajj Team, Alh Yayanuwa Zainabari appreciated the role of the madia team in the abreast of the general public on every step of Hajj Operation while in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
According to him, the media reports/news and programmes on Hajj has adequately bridged the communication gabs between the Government and the people. End