By Idahosa Musa
Edo State Muslim Welfare Board, on Wednesday said it has extended payment for Hajj and registration for the 2025 Holy Pilgrimage to the United Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the middle of March.
It added that about 200 intending pilgrims have so far made payment for the forthcoming Hajj to Saudi Arabia out of the 412 slots allocated to the State.
The Chairman of the Board, Mallam Musah Muhammad Uduimoh, disclosed this during a meeting with the Edo State Chapter of the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) on Wednesday in Benin, the Edo State Capital.
He said the initial deadline for the payment and registration was February 15, 2025, adding that the extension was to give opportunity to more intending pilgrims to complete payment and registration.
“We have about 200 pilgrims who have already registered for this year, 2025 hajj to Saudi Arabia, out of the total number of 412 slots allocated to the state by National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
“But we are glad that NAHCON has extended the deadline for the payment and registration to the middle of next month, March from the initial February 15, 2025”.
Mallam Uduimoh assured the intending pilgrims of a successful pilgrimage, noting that the state Pilgrim Board was committed to addressing the issue of accommodation experienced in the past
He revealed that the board has secured lodging closer to the Haram in Makkah and catering services that would provide local foods such as garri, Eba, Fufu among others for the pilgrims.
While emphasizing the importance and roles of media, Uduimoh noted that for a successful Hajj operations media must be an integral part for the sensitization of intending pilgrims and dissemination of the board’s information to the members of the general public.
“We welcome this partnership and we are willing to collaborate with the media. The board needs media support in promoting its activities, specifically in publicizing the ongoing preparations for the 2025 Hajj.
“We need a collaborative effort between the two organizations to enhance Hajj preparations and promote positive narratives about the Muslim community”, he added.
Earlier, the Interim Chairman of MMPN in the State, Abdul-Kadir Abdullah, said the visit was to introduce the formation of the body in the state as well as to familiarize with the Chairman of the Board
“As a body, we recognize the important role your office plays in facilitating Hajj processes for our Muslim brothers and sisters in the state and the need to support you.
“We are also out to promote the efforts of our Muslim leaders and organizations in the development of the society”, he stated.
