Aluta News
The Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Board, has cautioned returning pilgrims from Saudi Arabia against carrying excessive luggage above the recommended 40 kilogrammes (kg) limit.
The Executive Chairman, Alhaji Faruku Aliyu-Enabo, stated this in Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, while handing over Sallah packages donated to the pilgrims by stakeholders to Local Government Hajj Guides.
Aliyu-Enabo recalled past experiences where pilgrims were forced to abandoned some valuable items that they bought for flouting the recommended luggage weights limit.
Addressing journalists on preparation of the board towards airlifting of pilgrims back to Nigeria, the executive chairman said that the big bag given to pilgrims was expected to carry 32kg luggage.
He added that the small handbag would equally contain eight kilogrammes, making a total of 40kg.
“Therefore, we are appealing to pilgrims to ensure compliance with the standing rules by not exceeding the luggage limit of 32kg and 8kg for big and handbags respectively.
“I have instructed all the LG Guides to make sure that they guide their pilgrims in the process of weighing their luggage; it is a duty upon them to stand for their pilgrims,” he said.
Aliyu-Enabo thanked God for the opportunity given to the state to be the first to land in Saudi Arabia for 2024 Hajj and the first to be transported back to Nigeria.
“First plane, God’s willing, will leave Saudi Arabia Friday night to arrive in Nigeria Saturday morning.
“In view of this, we want to use this medium to appreciate the gigantic efforts of Gov. Nasir Idris and other stakeholders which culminated into a huge success,” he said.
On the Sallah package, Aliyu-Enabo said: “All promises made by the stakeholders from different LGAs are hereby fulfilled and I have handed over the money to each Hajj Guide for onward distribution to the pilgrims.
“We have instructed all the Hajj Guides in the 21 LGAs to make sure that what is due to each pilgrim is given to him or her today.”
The executive chairman also said that the pilgrims that were under Kebbi Government Officials would also receive their Sallah package.
One of the Hajj Guides from Jega local government area, Alhaji Sani Hali-Jega, popularly known as Malam Arzika confirmed receipt of the Sallah package, an undisclosed cash for onward disbursement to the pilgrims.
Malam Arzika identified the stakeholders who contributed the money for the wellbeing of pilgrims from their respective LGAs as commissioners, members of State and National Assemblies and other prominent politicians.
He told the News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) that Aliyu-Enabo was highly transparent because he itemised each LG with its officials and how much each official donated to assist his people.
“Aliyu-Enabo also calculated how much each pilgrim will collect, depending on how much his/her stakeholders contributed.
“This is a new development. We have never witnessed this kind of excellent arrangement before. This will go a long way in assisting the pilgrims,” he said.
NAN