The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to ensure a hitch-free airlift of intending pilgrims for the forthcoming Hajj exercise.
The appeal was made during an assessment visit by a delegation from the commission to Kano, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the board’s Public Relations Officer, Sulaiman Dederi.
Speaking during the visit, the Director-General of the board, Abubakar Matawalle, said the state had concluded all necessary preparations for its pilgrims and expressed optimism that the process would proceed without setbacks.
“We have finalised all arrangements for our intending pilgrims and expect that there will be no unnecessary delays from air carriers when the airlift begins,” Matawalle said.
He stressed that timely transportation of pilgrims is critical to ensuring a smooth and well-coordinated Hajj operation.
Earlier, the leader of the NAHCON delegation and Commissioner for the North-West, Sheikh Muhammad Bin Usman, explained that the visit was part of efforts to evaluate the level of preparedness across states in the region.
“Our team has been moving across states in the North-West to assess facilities and readiness for the Hajj exercise,” Usman said. “The concerns raised here will be communicated to the commission’s headquarters for appropriate action.”
Also speaking, the commission’s Zonal Director for Kano, Alhaji Ahmad Muhammad Kalgo, commended the board for its preparedness and encouraged continued public enlightenment for intending pilgrims.
“We are impressed with the level of readiness demonstrated by the board. It is important to sustain sensitisation programmes to keep pilgrims well-informed ahead of the exercise,” Kalgo said.
The Hajj operation, which involves the annual pilgrimage of Muslims to Saudi Arabia, requires extensive coordination between state boards, airlines, and federal authorities to ensure seamless travel and welfare arrangements for participants.
