By Sani Wakili, Jalingo – The Taraba State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has announced the allocation of 1,407 seats for intending pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj.
The outgoing Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Umar Ahmed Chiroma, disclosed this during a media briefing on the level of preparations for a smooth pilgrimage exercise next year.
“We are at an advanced stage in our preparations as directed by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON),” Chiroma said. “So far, over 500 intending pilgrims have completed their payments.”
Chiroma, however, noted a decline in registration this year due to the economic challenges facing residents. “We have experienced low patronage because of the economic meltdown. Prices of farm produce and cattle have dropped significantly,” he explained. “Farmers and herders are our major patrons.”
He added that more than 5,000 intending pilgrims across Nigeria have already paid their Hajj fares, urging those yet to do so to make payments quickly in order to meet NAHCON’s deadline.
Chiroma also praised Governor Agbu Kefas for sponsoring 50 pilgrims from the state. “The governor’s gesture will go a long way in helping many people fulfill this religious obligation,” he said.
As part of its final preparations, the board will soon begin medical screening and vaccination of pilgrims, while camping arrangements have been concluded in Jalingo, the state capital. He also confirmed that officials had visited Saudi Arabia to secure comfortable accommodations for pilgrims from Taraba.
Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey at least once in a lifetime.