Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has urged the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to allocate more Hajj seat slots to the state to enable hundreds of intending pilgrims from the state to perform their religious duties.

Ganduje also commended the initiatives of the NAHCON current board towards easing Hajj operations and ensuring improved welfare of pilgrims.

Ganduje made commendation during a visit to the NAHCON Chairman, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, at the Hajj House located in the Central Business District of Abuja.

According to Governor Ganduje, he was in the Hajj House to make a request and to exchange pleasantries.

He noted that the take-off of the Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS) designed to aid low-income earners and others was paying gradually for a chance to perform Hajj.

He said Kano State had embraced the scheme since commencement, saying that was the reason an enabling environment was created for its success in the state.

The governor further thanked NAHCON for the functional Hajj clinic built in Kano, which he said the government helped to furnish.

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Ganduje also appreciated the relationship his administration was enjoying with NAHCON as well as between the commission and other state governments.

On his part, Alhaji Hassan described Ganduje as the greatest supporter of the NAHCON.

The NAHCON Chairman declared that Kano was the first state where the commission’s Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme began successfully.

He also described Kano as important to NAHCON and promised to assist the state with its requests out of respect and mutual relationship.

The governor was accompanied on the visit by the Executive Secretary, Kano State Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, Alhaji Muhammad Abba Dambatta; the Permanent Secretary, Protocol Directorate, Alhaji Idris Abdullahi Dawakin Tofa; and Liaison Officer, Kano State Government House, Abuja, S. AbdulHadi.

The Star