Katsina subsidises Hajj with N1b
About N1 billion is being expended by the Katsina State government annually to subsidise Hajj exercise, Governor Aminu Masari has said.
Speaking at the inauguration of a 18-member newly constituted Pilgrims Welfare Board, Masari said the subsidy was aimed at enhancing the welfare of the pilgrims.
He said Hajj exercise was not a picnic nor holiday but an art of worship, and asked pilgrims to be upright and do what was expected of them by worshipping and praying.
In his remark, the new chairman of the Board and Bunun Katsina, Alhaji Salisu Ado shinkafi promised to do what was expected of them and called for cooperation from the pilgrims to achieve success.
About 1020 out of the 4930 pilgrims from the state have since been airlifted to Saudi Arabia.