Gov Ortom Assures Muslims, Launches Hajj Savings Scheme In Benue
With this year’s pilgrimage already in sight, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has officially flagged off the Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS) in the State, pledging equal treatment for Muslims by his administration.
According to Governor Ortom, the Benue government under his watch is fully committed to providing equal opportunities and a conducive atmosphere for all religions and legal sects to function in the state.
Speaking during the HSS launch and sensitization in Makurdi, the State capital, Governor Ortom said; “I will like to assure the Muslim Community in Benue State and National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) that the Benue government will not relent in her efforts to see Muslims in the state enjoy equal rights like other state indigenes and to participate in both national and international Islamic events.”
He said since Hajj is a mandatory religious obligation for all Muslims to perform at least once in their lifetime, the Saving Scheme is certainly a sure way of assisting “low income earners and the general public to make in instalment or gradually save at their convenience towards meeting their goal of going on Hajj.”
Represented by Amirul Hajj, Alhaji Sule Audu, the governor urged Jaiz Bank to consider opening a branch urgently in Benue State for the people to enjoy the benefits of non-interest banking.
In his remarks, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Jaiz Bank Plc, Mallam Hassan Usman, said with the Scheme growing in leaps and bounds, NAHCON and the various State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards will hopefully have the required liquid funds to effectively plan hajj operations early.
Similarly, he said the availability of easily accessible funds will also enable officials to secure better bargains for accommodation and other services for their pilgrims, adding that the scheme can also be key to making the pilgrims highly self-sustaining in the long run.
For the NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Barrister Zikirullah Kunle Hassan, the scheme is part of ongoing reforms to ensure the nation’s hajj operations are in line with global best practice.
Hassan said with HSS, subscribers can be rewarded for their intentions before even actualising their journey, saying every Muslim can participate and have the opportunity to perform the holy pilgrimage without having to sell off his or her assets.
Also speaking, Executive Secretary of Benue State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mustapha Ibrahim noted that the scheme will make Nigerian Muslims better off with great and positive impact on the national economy through indirect employment opportunities.
HSS is the brain-child of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in partnership with Jaiz Bank Plc to ease preparations for Muslims traveling to Saudi Arabia for the yearly Hajj.
