What Happened As Zulum Inaugurates Borno’s 2024 Hajj Committee.

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has inaugurated the 2024 Hajj committee, which will ensure the proper welfare of Pilgrims from the state during the upcoming 2024 Hajj.

Zulum, who inaugurated the committee on Saturday at the council chamber of the government house in Maiduguri, promised better conditions for all Borno pilgrims.

The 21-member committee would be chaired by the Senator representing Borno Central, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan.

The governor directed the committee members to work tirelessly to meet the expectations of Borno pilgrims.

He said, “I urge you to be dedicated in order to reduce some of the complaints by pilgrims.”

Zulum also noted that the pilgrim welfare board would be reorganised to become a commission to reduce the financial burden resulting from the pilgrimage activities by the government.

“We must reorganise the Pilgrim Welfare Board and convert it to a commission. Establishing a commission reduces government spending and ensures more accountability and transparency,” Zulum said.

The governor also explained why the deputy governor, who has been the Chairman of the state Hajj committee for the last four years could not serve in that capacity this year.

Zulum said, “Since I assumed office as governor of Borno in 2019, the deputy governor has been the Chair of our Hajj committee. But this year, we decided to change because I am also going and don’t want to create a leadership vacuum in the state. He will oversee the affairs of the state in my absence.”

Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, the committee’s Chairman, responded by urging the committee members to consider the assignment as a serious job involving issues of welfare, safety, and logistics from Maiduguri to Saudi Arabia and back.