297 prospective pilgrims to perform Hajj in Edo

No fewer than 297 prospective pilgrims from Edo State would perform this year’s Hajj exercise.

The Chairman, the State Muslims Welfare Board, Sheik Ibrahim Oyarkhua, disclosed this on Thursday while addressing journalists in Benin on the Board’s preparation for this year’s Hajj operation.

He noted that all the intending pilgrims who made initial deposit  of N4.5 million before the additional N1.9 million fee by NAHCON have completed their money.

According to him, “412 slots were given to the state, but 297 intending pilgrims have registered for the Hajj in Edo and they have paid the N4,899 million Hajj fare announced  by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).”

Sheik Oyarkhua added that at the moment, the Board is 97 percent ready for the Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia and that before the deadline given by the authority elapsed everything would have been sorted out.

“We are 97 percent ready for this year’s Hajj. It is only three percent that is remaining, because we have few persons who have issues with their international passports.

“But between now and Tuesday next week, we would have been able to overcome the problem and ensure that we meet the April 29 deadline given by Saudi Arabia for issuance of Visa”.

According to Sheik Oyarekhua, the Board has made adequate preparations in term of  accomodations, feeding, transportation and other logistics needed to be put in place to ensure that intending pilgrims have the best in terms of Hajj exercise.