The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has announced that the first batch of the 2025 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia will commence in a few weeks, saying preparation has been concluded.
Director-General of the board, Lamin Rabiu Danbappa, gave this revelation in Kano on Monday, urging all intending pilgrims from the state to get prepared to spend 35 and 40 days in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
He said the preparation would ensure strict adherence to the schedule of departure to avoid logistic challenges.
Danbappa stated this during the closing session of the Hajj orientation exercise (bita) held for Kano State intending pilgrims, urging them to focus on their spiritual obligations rather than unnecessary complaints.
He warned that any attempt to create confusion or disrupt the arrangement would not be tolerated as the board was not ready to compromise anything that would embarrass the nation.
He stressed that the Board would not rearrange for any pilgrim to return home earlier than scheduled, emphasising that the extended duration is part of the organised Hajj itinerary and logistical arrangements set by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON.
He said: “We are urging our pilgrims to mentally and spiritually prepare for a stay of up to 40 days in Makkah. It is not unusual, and it is part of the spiritual obligation,”; he said.
“There are individuals who begin to disturb the peace of the Board, coming up with excuses just to shorten their stay,”; he noted.
“But they must understand that return flights operate on a ‘first to go, first to return’ basis. No one will be allowed to jump the queue,”; Alhaji Danbappa said.
