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Says it’s safer, secured for all stakeholders
BY COBHAM NSA – Governor of Nasarawa State, Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule has endorsed the newly introduced Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS) as the safest and most secured place for intending pilgrims to warehouse their funds.
He said in keeping their money within the Scheme will not only ensure it is safe but also a reliable way of ensuring pilgrims are shielded from any unforeseen lure.
Governor Sule, who spoke at the launch/sensitisation programme of the Scheme in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, said aside easing the Hajj processes, the Scheme will moderate the prospect of redirecting the Pilgrims’ funds for other activities outside of Hajj operations.
He said the HSS is coming at the right time with various governments gradually withdrawing their sponsorships for religious activities, adding that it also provides an opportunity for Muslims to better prepare at their convenience towards performing the Hajj as one of the pillars of Islam.
In his remarks, Managing Director, Jaiz Bank Plc, Mallam Hassan Usman emphasized Bank’s commitment to the Scheme, saying; “We are ready to support it with the best-in-class technology infrastructure as well as safe investment management practice.”
Hassan, represented by Acting Managing Director/Executive Director, Operations/CFO of the Bank, Abdulfattah Amoo, said with time, NAHCON and the respective State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards will be assured of liquid funds to effectively plan Hajj operations early, thereby securing better bargains for accommodation and other services needed by their pilgrims.
He also expressed confidence the Scheme can also be the key that will make all stakeholders highly self-sustaining in the long run.
Also speaking at the event, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Zikirullah Kunle Hassan said the Scheme is “an idea whose time has come and which is quite crucial and a dream come true for us all if Hajj must be taken to the next level like as it is done in some parts of the world.”
According to him; “The reality for the success of the Scheme depends on all of us to propagate and support it in every way through encouraging our people to key into this noble scheme.
“Therefore as we rise from here today, we must all go to work to preach the message of the Hajj Savings Scheme.”
For the Chairman, Nasarawa State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, Engineer Mustafa Yahuza, the state has in place mechanism to promote the scheme and further spread the message down to the grassroots in order to realise its set objectives.
Similarly, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Pilgrims, Abubakar Hassan Nalaraba, disclosed that the Scheme is fully backed by law as contained in the Act establishing NAHCON.
He said HSS will benefit all Nigerian Muslims with the procedures already simplified to accommodate more pilgrims across the country.
