*Pix above: Measly pap and akara served
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Some Nigerian pilgrims have complained bitterly about the poor quality of food in Saudi Arabia, describing it as unbecoming.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Friday, said that 18,061 Nigerian pilgrims were airlifted to the Holy Land to perform the 2024 Hajj.
The pilgrims had paid N6.8 million as Hajj fare, even as others who registered late paid N8.5 million.
This sparked outrage as the intending pilgrims demanded refunds. However, the government of President Tinubu approved 90bn to subsidize the fare.
The Vice President who confirmed this while flagging off the 2024 inaugural flight of Pilgrims to Saudi Arabia at Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, said the government’s action was to provide succor for the pilgrims amidst the economic challenges.
Despite the subsidy, some pilgrims lamented the quality of food being offered to them by NAHCON at the Holy Land.
One of the pilgrims, Babagana Digima lamenting the quality of the food on a Facebook post shared a pap and akara being served.
He said; “After paying N8m for Hajj, see the breakfast that our pilgrims are being given!
Nahcon Nigeria Fatima Mustapha; This is what was given today 28th May 2024. In fact some pilgrims have already started begging to get money to buy food because even their remaining $300 that was promised to be paid to them in Saudi (out of $500) is not forthcoming from the authorities!
Another pilgrim, Nasir Aliyu Babanyaya corroborated Digima’s lamentation saying; “But to be fair, this food of pilgrims that flew from Abuja in Makka, because of us Kaduna we have never given alhazai kunu and beans except for tea and cooked eggs, or tea with fried eggs and potatoes, or tea with chicken or meatballs Even for fish or fancasau and tea, they are the same for breakfast in Kaduna state as at last year during Arrigasiyyu Regime this year.”
This is not the first time Nigerian pilgrims have raised concern over the quality of food offered to them.
In 2023, Osun State pilgrims complained bitterly about the poor quality of food they were being served by the State Pilgrims Welfare Board.
The pilgrims who nearly resorted to violence were brought under control, following the intervention of Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, who pleaded with them.
Pilgrims from Adamawa, Zamfara, and Bauchi States also expressed their frustration over the inability of NAHCON to provide either food or bed spaces to them.
Meanwhile, another pilgrim, Muhammad Ahmad Musa reacting in the comment section said; “NAHCON is right now there at the scene gathering information for proper investigation because NAHCON is fully and totally providing feeding and accommodation in Madinah but in Makkah NAHCON only supervises yet the Commission’s official will leave no stone unturned in revealing the truth of the matter and taking necessary action.”{agency}/PLEASE SHARE
