The Executive Chairman, Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Faruku Aliyu-Enabo, has warned Kebbi State pilgrims against carrying excessive luggage above the stipulated 40 kg.
Enabo stated this in Makkah Kingdom of Saudi Arabia while handing over the Sallah package (Goron Sallah) to local government Hajj guides donated to pilgrims of each LGA by their stakeholders.
In a press statement made available to newsmen in Birnin-Kebbi by the Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, Ahmed Idris from Makka quoted the Executive Chairman as speaking from experience where pilgrims used to abandon some valuable items bought due to excess luggage.
Addressing journalists on the preparation of the board for the airlift of pilgrims back to Nigeria, the chairman said the big bag given to pilgrims was expected to carry 32 kg, while the small bag would contain only eight kg, making 40 kg altogether.
“Therefore, we are appealing to pilgrims to ensure compliance with the standing rules by not exceeding the luggage limit of 32 kg and 8 kg for big bags and handbags, respectively.”
“I have instructed all the LG Guides to make sure that they lead their pilgrims in the process of weighing their luggage; it is a duty upon them to stand for their pilgrims,” he said.
The Executive Chairman, who appreciated God Almighty for the opportunity given to the state to be the first to land in Saudi Arabia for the 2024 Hajj, said: “God has blessed Kebbi to be the first flight to Saudi Arabia, and we are happy that Kebbi will be the first state to go back home after the Hajj rituals.
“The first plane, In Sha Allah, will leave Saudi Arabia Friday night to arrive in Nigeria Saturday morning. In view of this, we want to use this medium to appreciate the gigantic efforts of His Excellency, Gov. Nasir Idris, as well as other stakeholders, which culminated in a huge success.”
On the Sallah package donated to each pilgrim by stakeholders of their respective LGAs, the Chairman said: “All promises made by stakeholders from different LGAs are here fulfilled, and I have handed over the money to each Hajj Guide for onward distribution to pilgrims.
“We have instructed all the Hajj guides in the 21 LGAs to make sure that what is due to each pilgrim is conveyed to him/her today.”
Similarly, the chairman said to Pilgrims who were under Kebbi Government Officials (KGO), “The Director, together with the KGO Guide, will sort out their numbers for them to also enjoy the dividends by tomorrow, In Sha Allah.”
Speaking to one of the Hajj Guides from Jega local government, Alhaji Sani Hali-Jega (Malam Arzika) confirmed that the money had been handed over to them by the chairman of the board for onward disbursement to pilgrims.
Malam Arzika said the money was donated to pilgrims by stakeholders of each LG, including commissioners, members of the state and national assemblies, and other prominent politicians of each LG who contributed to the well-being of their pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
He said the chairman was highly transparent because he itemised each LG with its officials and how much each official donated to assist his people, adding, “The chairman also calculated how much each pilgrim will collect, depending on how much his/her stakeholders contributed.
“This is a new development; we have never witnessed this kind of excellent arrangement before. This will go a long way in assisting the pilgrims,” he confirmed.
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