Vice President Kashim Shettima says that President Bola Tinubu’s administration had subsidised the cost of the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage with N90 billion.

Shettima disclosed at the inauguration of the 2024 National Hajj operation, held at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State Capital.

”You may recall that this year, we had a major challenge in announcing the final hajj fare for the 2024 Muslim pilgrimage due to fluctuation in foreign exchange rates,” Shettima said.

“President Bola Tinubu also works round the clock to control the downwards spiral of our local currency to bring relief to our pilgrims and other Nigerians, a move that eventually succeeded in lowering the fare. The President approved the release of N90 billion to subsidise the pilgrimage cost for this year’s hajj.”

He said the government of Renewed Hope, led by President Tinubu, attaches immense importance to religious pilgrimage due to its role in transforming the behavioural and social vices of the believers beyond performing the pilgrimage.

“Due to this high regard, the government took time to carefully select men of integrity with administrative acumen and records of selfless dedication to manage the affairs of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria in the interest of Nigerian pilgrims.

” Government at the highest level monitors all arrangements meant for the well-being of our pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and within the country before embarking on the journey.

” We are aware of the provision put in place for the safety, security and comfort of the Nigerian contingent to the 2024 hajj of our pilgrims.”

The Vice President urged the pilgrims not to relent in praying for the success of the Tinubu administration, peace and progress of the country that ”we are proud to call our motherland.”

“Indeed, it is through our collective prayers and individual contributions that our country will prosper,” Mr Shettima said.

Earlier, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, tasked Nigerian pilgrims with discipline in order to project the image of Nigeria positively.

He thanked the Tinubu-led federal government for its effort to ensure that the 2024 hajj takes place.

”As you heard that NAHCON chairman said, when all hopes were lost, the light showed at one end, and today we are having the inaugural flight for the 2024 Hajj.

”We never lost hope that we will go for hajj. We are in an era of Renewed Hope. So tell Asiwaju that his real hope is still being expected to shine everywhere.

”We are looking for more; we want more of good leadership. We want to thank the president for his leadership.

”We thank the vice president and all governors of our states who have been standing by to help the common man to survive.”