Sokoto to conduct raffle for Hajj seats

Aviation Nigeria

The Sokoto State Pilgrims’ Welfare Agency has disclosed plans to conduct raffle for Hajj seats. This, according to it, is to ensure fairness in view of the 20 per cent reduction in the number of intending pilgrims from the state.

Chairman of the agency, Alhaji Mukhtari Bello Maigona, said already the agency has held a meeting with all hajj registration officers of local government areas on the issue.

According to him, other measures taken to take care of the reduction in the number of pilgrims, include the exclusion of all those who fail to pay their fares and old timers.

Maigona, who said that only male intending pilgrims would be involved in the raffle draw, adding that reports from all the local government areas indicate that the number of first timers out-number the seats allocated to their respective areas.

He said the raffle draw would commence next Saturday in Kebbe Wurno, Sabon Birni, Tambuwal Gudu and Silame Local Government Areas. According to him, women who are first timers were given automatic consideration.

About 1,300 intending pilgrims from Sokoto were affected by the recent cut in the number of pilgrims to perform this year’s hajj exercise

Dutse Airport to transport Muslim pilgrims for 2013 Hajj

Aviation Nigeria

The Jigawa Government announced during the week that Muslim pilgrims from the state for the 2013 hajj in Saudi Arabia would be transported from the state’s multi-million Naira airport being constructed in Dutse.

Gov. Sule Lamido said this in Dutse while inspecting the project along with members of the State Executive Council and other top government functionaries.

He said in spite of criticisms by some members of the opposition, the airport would boost economic activities in the state.

Lamido said apart from this, the airport would also attract new investors to the state.

The airport is scheduled to be completed before the official beginning of hajj operations.  (NAN)