By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi-
The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed has flagged-off the Hajj Savings Scheme for the North-Eastern States.
The scheme which was initiated by the Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board in collaboration with the National Hajj Commission and Ja’iz Bank PLC, would provide an opportunity for intending Pilgrims to save money in large or small amounts in preparation for hajj exercise.
The Governor while speaking at the launching and sensitisation of the scheme at the new Bauchi State Hajj Camp located near the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport on Thursday, said it would instill financial discipline among intending pilgrims.
He explained that it boost access to finance Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) adding that keeping pilgrim fund in the newly introduced Hajj scheme is safe, reliable and free from any manipulation.
Governor Mohammed noted that beside easing the Hajj processes, it would reduce the chances of redirecting the pilgrims’ funds for other activities outside Hajj operations.
He emphasised that Muslims will now be better prepared at their convenience to perform Hajj being one of the pillars of Islam.
The governor said: “As a result of global economic melt down, which further aggravated by COVID 19, it is becoming difficult for the common man to perform Hajj. Infact, some have given up the hope of performing Hajj in their life time, however the scheme we are launching today, provide a platform to make that dream come true”.
“The new concept demands that an interested person will open a bank account, after which the money will be used for projects such as investment in agriculture, value chain and voted industries, investment in power and energy, education, housing and health and other critical sectors of the economy”.
“At the individual level, besides generating returns for the depositors, Hajj Saving scheme is believed to introduce such level of financial discipline and savings culture for the enrolled members and the generality of our people, especially those living in the rural areas.”
In his remarks, the Chairman/CEO, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Zikirullah Kunle Hassan said that the Hajj Saving scheme was designed to ease the cost of fare to the holy land.
He added that the choice of Bauchi state as host for other states in the northeast did not come as an accident but a decision that was carefully made because of the numerous contributions made to Hajj administration by Governor Mohammed who has a long standing history of working behind the scene on the frontline of Hajj matters.
“It is on record that the newly constructed Hajj modern camp by Governor Bala Mohammed is first among it’s kind in terms of state of the Art facilities and is ranked the best in Nigeria for now.
“We are also indebted to Governor Mohammed for the allocations of hectares of land to the Commission right in the heart and center of Abuja when he held sway as the Minister of the federal capital territory and provision of a well furnished office for our newly created outreach in Bauchi.
“Let me reiterate that fact the introduction of the Hajj Saving scheme by the current board was premised on our abiding belief that for Nigeria Hajj management to be on the same page with other Islamic nations and in particular the digitalization of Hajj by Saudi Arabia authorities, the commission has come up with an alternative payment system”.
“The idea which has been on the front burner for over a decade for which the previous board decided to build the foundation, has now become the corner stone” he said
In a presentation on the saving scheme, the Managing Director JAIZ Bank, Mallam Hassan Usman said that with the Hajj scheme, intending pilgrims who do not have the wherewithal, can do so by saving gradually, adding that they do not have to sell thier personal belongings any more to pay for Hajj.
He listed the benefits of the scheme to include advance planning in feed, accommodation and flight schedules, offers subsidy in future reduction in Hajj fares, job creation through the establishment of branches, aligning the entire system to the global system amongst others benefits.
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