By Suleiman Anyalewechi
Amidst the biting effects of the hard economic situation in the country, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, on Saturday, April 6, 2024, confirmed that only a total of 51,447 Muslim pilgrims are to embark on the 2024 pilgrimage to the Holy Land .
Maiduguri/Yola ,Kaduna Kano and Kwara states with averagely between 5,493, 4,493 and 3 057 top the lists of intending pilgrims from across the states of the country.
Benue ,kogi ,Enugu ,and Imo States recorded the least in number with an average of 100 and less pilgrims, with Abia ,Akwa- Ibom,Anambra recording none under the official government quota.
In a statement issued by the Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Fatima Sanda, NAHCON appreciated the Federal Government for its unwavering support and commitments towards ensuring a successful exercise despite all pronounced odds.
This is even as the Hajj Commission, has commended the patience, and perseverance exhibited by the pilgrims in the face of many constraints and uncertainties that they faced, adding that NAHCON also reckons with the concern demonstrated by the Ulamas and other Muslim leaders over the plights of the pilgrims.
The Hajj Commission particularly thanked state Governors ,and several other major stakeholders who stepped forward to render invaluable assistance towards the actualization of the exercise.
Similarly, NAHCON lauded the tremendous support and understanding displayed by the media in their handling of the challenges that faced the Hajj preparations ,noting that this year’s exercise came with some 1unexpected difficulties .
The Commission, in view of 2024 challenges has, therefore, advocated an early preparations and long term planning as viable solutions to future challenges,adding that future operations at the Commission will be guided by early and long term planning..
Below is the full list of pilgrims and their states.
S/N State Total number of pilgrims registered
1 Adamawa 1,642
2 Borno 1,780
3 Taraba 950
4 Yobe 1,120
Maid./Yola Sub-total 5,492
5 Bauchi| 2,315
6 Benue 87
7 Ekiti 186
8 FCT. 2,491
9 Gombe 1,373
10 Jigawa 1,250
11 Kaduna 4,493
12 Kano 3,057
13 Katsina 2,654
14 Kebbi 3,419
15 Kogi 13
16
17 Kwara 3000
Nasarawa
1,866
18 Niger 3,201
19 Ondo 491
20 Plateau 1,126
21 Sokoto 3,643
22 Zamfara 1,596
Northern Sub-total 36,261.
23 Abia –
24 Akwa-Ibom –
25 Anambra –
26 Bayelsa 13
27 Cross River –
28 Delta 36
29 Ebonyi 13
30 Edo 295
31 Enugu 18
32 Imo 100
33 Lagos 1,861
34 Ogun 925
35 Osun 1,590
36
37 Oyo
Rivers 1,047
47
38 Armed Forces 365
Southern Sub-total 6,310
TOTAL FROM STATES NM 48,063
39 HSS 1884
40 Others 1,500
GRAND TOTAL 51,447
