Hajj Operating Licence: S/South Intending Pilgrims Rush To C/River For 2020 Exercise

Intending Pilgrims in the South South part of  Nigeria are now making Cross River State their  choice of patronage for the 2020 Hajj exercise.

Recall that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NACHON) had toward the end of 2019 Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia issued an operating licence to Cross River State to commence Hajj and Umrah Tour Operations.

The state was the only state in the south south with such operating licence as at the time it was issued in August.

Chairman,Cross River Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board,Alh Hassan Tanimu  while speaking with newsmen in Abuja after the Enlarge meeting between NACHON and State chairmen of pilgrim board said " As at the last count, Over Fifty intending Pilgrims from Rivers,Akwa Ibom,Bayelsa Delta and even Ebonyi and Abia States have indicated interest to follow Cross River Contingent in 2020.

The Chairman said these intending Pilgrims would have commence payment for the exercise but for the directive of the National Hajj Commission on the payment procedures and 2020 rules of engagement guidelines on Hajj and Umrah operators.

Hassan said the glory of achievements of the board is hinged on  Governor Ben Ayade clear leadership direction and strategy of  "puttng your soul forward and your body will follow" which has helped the board to achieve so many things within the short period of time despite numerous challenges.

The Chairman also Commend the leadership of the department of Religious Matters in Cross River  for being the parent body  supervising the board activities in the state .

"If in less than one month after our return from Saudi Arabia,there are over fifty intending Pilgrims already indicated to go with Cross River Pilgrims Welfare Board in 2020 Hajj exercise,you can imagine how many will be in another  five to six months time,this is the selling point from Cross River State which I discussed with the Chairman during our meeting.

"It is a clear indication that we are getting it right in Cross River,and that the little our governor is doing through His 'Intellectual money Maxim' resonates allover the country even as a Muslim minority state.

"The Operating Licence giving by NACHON will tell it's own  story in Cross River State effective from 2020 Hajj exercise"he explained.

Speaking On how to improve the payment pattern from Cross River  State which had always come late,the chairman said:

"I can assure you that everything will change from 2020,I don't want to let the cat out of the bag,but I can tell you that Cross River State will be among the 1st ten states in Nigeria to make payment for the 2020 intending Pilgrims for both state sponsored and individuals.