By Ali Rabiu Ali, Dutse
The Jigawa State Executive Council has approved a N3.5 billion loan facility to the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board to secure Hajj seats and facilitate preparations for the 2027 pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The approval is aimed at ensuring that intending pilgrims from the state are able to meet the initial financial requirements for Hajj seat reservations within the deadline set by the Saudi authorities.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Habibu Yusuf Babura.
According to the statement, the intervention reflects Governor Malam Umar Namadi’s commitment to promoting religious activities and making the Hajj exercise more accessible for the people of Jigawa State.
The Board explained that the special loan would enable intending pilgrims to make the required initial deposits for their Hajj seats ahead of the deadline, thereby safeguarding the state’s allocation for the 2027 pilgrimage.
Director General of the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Ahmad Umar Labbo, FCFA, expressed appreciation to Governor Namadi for what he described as timely and strategic support for intending pilgrims.
He noted that Jigawa remains one of the few states in the country providing such direct financial assistance and operational backing to facilitate Hajj arrangements for its citizens.
Labbo assured that the Board would ensure transparency and accountability in the management of the funds, stressing that the loan would be used strictly for the purpose for which it was approved.
He added that the Board’s consistent record of repaying previous government loans immediately after collecting pilgrims’ deposits has strengthened the confidence of the state government.
According to him, the Board’s credibility has made it easier to access government support whenever necessary, eliminating the need to obtain interest-bearing loans from commercial banks.
The Director General also urged all intending pilgrims to complete their Hajj seat deposits promptly, noting that Saudi Arabian authorities have fixed September as the final deadline for payment of Hajj seat deposits for the 2027 pilgrimage.
He appealed to prospective pilgrims to comply with the deadline to avoid losing the opportunity to participate in next year’s Hajj.
