The Saudi Arabian authorities have approved 95,000 slots for Nigerian pilgrims for the 2019 hajj.
By
the renewed allocation for 2019, Nigeria maintained the quota enjoyed
in 2018 exercise despite the country’s inability to cover the slot.
Besides,
Federal government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
Saudi government on smooth bilateral relations ahead of 2019 Hajj and
Umrah exercise.
Signing the agreement on behalf of the
Federal Government, Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Khadija Bukar
Abba Ibrahim in Saudi Arabia, the minister said part of the agreement
reached with Saudi authorities was the approval of 95,000 pilgrims for
the 2019 hajj.
In a statement issued by spokesperson of National
Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Fatima Usara, Minister of State for
Foreign Affairs, also requested waiver of 2,000 Saudi Riyals imposed by
Saudi authorities on pilgrims in less than five years and reduction of
processes involved in issuance of visas.
Also in the agreement,
the Federal Government of Nigeria demanded the country’s inclusion in
the new project introduced by the Saudi government tagged: Makkah Road
Project.
In the new arrangement, pilgrims are afforded the
opportunity to undergo a one step shop immigration clearance at home
countries airports.
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