Hajj 2025: Jigawa presents new seat allocation formula
As part of efforts to ensure a seamless and transparent Hajj operation, the Jigawa State Government has introduced a new seat allocation formula for the 2025 Hajj exercise, allocating seats to 27 local government facilitators across the state.
This approach is designed to guarantee that intending pilgrims from all local government areas in the state receive proper guidance on the hajj exercise’s basic tenets and have equal opportunities to participate in the holy pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
It was reported that the Jigawa State government has approved a loan of N3.36bn for the 2025 Hajj pilgrim seats.
The board has also deposited N2.5bn with NAHCON as part of the state’s 2025 Hajj fares.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday evening in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital by the Director General, Jigawa State Pilgrim Welfare Board, Umar Labbo stated that the facilitators consist of males and females drawn from each of the 27 Local Government Areas of the state.
According to the Director General, “these facilitators have a vast knowledge of the hajj tenet and are expected to guide prospective pilgrims at designated centres in Saudi Arabia.”
“The allocation of hajj seats to the facilitators was approved by the state’s Governor, Umar Namadi. This gesture is the first of its kind in the state and is aimed at consolidating the successes of hajj operations in the state,” the DG explained.
Mr. Umar Labbo commended Namadi for his continued support to the Pilgrim Welfare Board and the intending pilgrims in the state.
He noted that the governor’s approval of the seat allocation is a testament to his commitment to the well-being of the state’s pilgrims.
“The Pilgrims Welfare Board initiated this gesture to properly educate pilgrims throughout the exercise and it is to prepare the intending pilgrims to conduct the hajj in accordance with Islam’s teachings and be good ambassadors of Nigeria while in the holy land,” he added.
He said the board has distributed 70 per cent of the total seat allocation to the 27 local government areas for sale to interested individuals across the state, adding that “the remaining 30% is reserved pending the exhaustion of slots allocated to each LGA.”
The PUNCH correspondent reports that the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board has received 1,518 slots from NAHCON for the forthcoming 2025 Hajj exercise.
