Newly sworn in Kano state Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf has approved the Sacks of center officials responsible for Hajj affairs in the 44 local government areas in the state and appointed interim officers to coordinate the ongoing operations of intending pilgrims for 2023 Hajj across the state.
A statement issued early Sunday signed by Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor directed the interim local Hajj officers to take over all responsibility from the Ganduje led appointed officers.
Subsequently, the statement directed the newly appointed centre officers to report to the new Director General Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board on Sunday 4th June, 2023 for an emergency meeting at the Board Headquarters.
HAJJ REPORTERS gathered that the approval of the new interim officers comprising mainly of the “Kwankwasiyya” political movement to take over the affairs of Hajj operations came after the sacked officers had concluded registration and documentation of intending pilgrims.
Recall that the new government had replaced Ambassador Mohammad Abba Danbatta, with Alh. Laminu Rabiu as Director General of the Hajj house.
This change of the local pilgrims officers takes place less than few hours to the commencement of Airlift of Kano State pilgrims scheduled to begins today 4th of June.
About 700 intending pilgrims from the state missed last year’s Hajj owing mainly to the squabbles over the choice of an airline to airlift pilgrims from Kano state.
One of the pilgrims, in a message to HAJJ REPORTERS said following the ugly incident of last year, they got the assurance of the Kano State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board that those of them who chose to defer their payments to this year would be the first to be airlifted to the Holy land this year.
He however, lamented that, this promise “is essentially broken” with the latest decision by the new administration in Kano state.
Recalled that HAJJ REPORTERS had earlier advise incoming state governors not to alter local pilgrims office arrangement saying such will have negative effects on Hajj operations.
