Abiodun Approves N119m As Subsidy For Ogun Hajj Pilgrims

Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun, has approved the immediate release of the sum of N119,560,712.70 as subsidy for the state muslim pilgrims going for this year’s holy pilgrimage.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Lekan Adeniran disclosed this in a statement to journalists in Abeokuta on Wednesday.

The subsidy, according to the governor is to help cover for the shortfall in the Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) of pilgrims as a result of unexpected vagaries of the foreign exchange rates.

Recalled that the Federal government had come under heavy criticism over alleged payment of N90 billion as subsidy for the 2024 hajj with many describing this as a setback for the nation’s economy.

But, Abiodun while justifying his decision said, the intervention is to allow the 934 state pilgrims perform their hajj rites without stress.

The statement read, “while NAHCON used N1,252.01 per dollar to calculate hajj fare (BTA inclusive) to give 500 USD as BTA to each pilgrim, the CBN released BTA at N1,530.86 per dollar, which gave each pilgrim $415 instead of $500 earlier proposed.

“Going by this development and in order to give each pilgrim $500 at the new exchange rate of N1,530.86 per dollar, the differential to be paid for the state 934 pilgrims stood at N119,560,712.70.”

“In the face of the shortfall therefore, and in an effort to make the 934 state pilgrims perform their hajj rites without stress as well as making them comfortable during the hajj exercise, Abiodun with dispatch, has intervened by paying BTA differential of the sum of N119,560,712.70 for all the 934 state pilgrims for 2024 hajj exercise.

“This prompt intervention by the governor will enable the pilgrims to collect $500 agreed without blemish and douse every anxiety earlier caused by the sudden increment.”

Abiodun implored the pilgrims to be patriotic and pray fervently for the state in particular and Nigeria at large, adding that the courage and sagacity exhibited by President Bola Tinubu in the quest of changing the ugly narrative of the past require robust spiritual support from all Nigerians.