By Olukayode Idowu
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has inaugurated the 2024 Hajj committee that would ensure the proper welfare of Pilgrims from the state during the forthcoming 2024 Hajj exercise.
Inaugurating the committee on Saturday at the council chamber of the government house in Maiduguri, Zulum assured improved welfare for all pilgrims from Borno State.
The 21-member committee would be chaired by the Senator representing Borno Central, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan.
The governor charged the committee members to work diligently towards meeting the expectations of pilgrims from Borno State.
He said, “I urge you to be dedicated in order to reduce some of the complaints by pilgrims.”
Zulum also noted that the pilgrim welfare board would be reorganised to become a commission to reduce the financial burden resulting from the pilgrimage activities by the government.
“We have to reorganise the Pilgrim Welfare Board; we shall convert the board to a commission. Establishing a commission reduces government spending and ensures more accountability and transparency,” Zulum said.
The governor also explained why the deputy governor, who has been the Chairman of the state Hajj committee for the last four years could not serve in that capacity this year.
Zulum said, “Since I assumed office as governor of Borno in 2019, the deputy governor has been the Chair of our Hajj committee. But this year, we decided to change because I am also going and don’t want to create a leadership vacuum in the state. He will oversee the affairs of the state in my absence.”
Responding, the committee’s Chairman, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, urged the committee members to consider the assignment a serious job involving issues of welfare, safety and the logistics involved from Maiduguri to Saudi Arabia and returning them to the country.
He expressed gratitude to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for finding them worthy and assured him of delivering on the task given to them.
