Kaduna Has Saved N221m By Stopping Sponsorship Of Pilgrimage – State Govt.

The Kaduna State Government said it has saved N221 after it stopped sponsorship of pilgrimage in the state.

Media aide to Gov. Nasiru El-Rufa’i Mr Samuel Aruwan, on Saturday in Kaduna, while announcing the appointment of Emir of Birnin Gwari, Alhaji Zubairu Jibril, as the 2015 Amirul-Hajj for the state, said in a statement that the government’s decision to stop sponsoring people for pilgrimages has saved the state more than N221.8 million.

Although, sponsorship of pilgrims have stopped, the government said it would send 116 officials and guides that would ensure smooth Hajj operations for the 5,682 pilgrims from the state.

“The government will discharge its obligation to the pilgrims and send a delegation of guides, preachers, medical personnel, media professionals and pilgrim officers.

“The official delegation will be led by the Emir of Birnin-Gwari, Alhaji Zubairu Jibril, who is the 2015 Amirul-Hajj.

“In subsequent years, government will consider ways of further reducing its expenses while protecting the comfort of pilgrims,” it said