Not more than 1,191 intending pilgrims from Ogun State will be allowed to perform the Hajj rites in 2024.
This is as the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) allocated 1,191 Hajj slots to the State ahead of next year’s pilgrimage.
According to the Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Salau Babatunde, the slots would be shared among intending pilgrims on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
Babatunde, who disclosed this in Abeokuta on Monday, said NAHCON had announced N4.5 million as the initial deposit for the 2024 pilgrimage to Mecca, pending the announcement of the final fare.
The Board Chairman added that the N4.5 million would be paid either through bank drafts or by paying directly with bank tellers obtainable at the Board into designated bank accounts.
He urged those who had made some deposits during the 2023 Hajj to top it up in order to meet the current initial Hajj deposit.
Saying all hands are on deck, Babatunde affirmed that the state government is doing everything needed to ensure the spiritual journey is a memorable and fulfilling exercise.
He urged intending pilgrims not to delay in making initial hajj deposits as the old way of processing visas has changed.
The Chairman informed that the issuance of visas is now to be concluded in at least 50 days before Arafat by Saudi Arabia.
Babatunde advised that intending pilgrims should visit the Board’s Office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, for further details.
DAILY POST reports that 1,238 pilgrims from Ogun performed the Hajj this year, 2023.
