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Hajj Reporters
Only intending pilgrims with valid official National Identity Cards will be allowed to perform hajj this year, Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board said.
The executive secretary of the board, Mr. Muftau Okoya said NAHCON has directed that all intending pilgrims from Nigeria must possess a National Identity Card.
“National Identity Card has been made compulsory as part of required documents for this year hajj by NAHCON,” he said.
Mr. Okoya said acquiring the official card is very stressful for the intending pilgrims.
“We have made arrangements with the National Identity Card Management Commission (NIMC) to set up a centre on the premises of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board from Monday June 5, 2017 to make the registration process easier and faster for intending pilgrims.”
The board said it has begun collection of Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA) for 2017 intending pilgrims.
The board began the BTA collection on May 29, 2017 and will close on June 9, the Executive Secretary of the board, Mr. Muftau Okoya announced in his office in Lagos.
He said: “this will enable the intending pilgrims convert their naira currencies to dollars in anticipation of their traveling to perform this year hajj and also reduce the stress and burden attached to the exchange of dollars.”
Mr. Okoya said intending pilgrims will be given the opportunity to exchange a maximum of N244, 000 for $800 at the official rate of N305.00 to a dollar as BTA for this year hajj.
