Our attention has been drawn to a report with the above caption  Written by Muhammad Tanko shittu on Blue print online publication of 12th  April,2024 . 


For the purpose of clarity the report is not only incomplete but misleading, because the Plateau State Muslim pilgrims welfare Board under the present administration is journalist friendly where we expect fairness and Balance in any report before, during and after the hajj exercise for the year. 


Before we address the  three issues raised in that report. It would be recalled that  as part of it determination to to organize a hitch free Hajj Operations inline with the Directives of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, many intending pilgrims were  not able to pay the initial Hajj deposit of 4,699,000m million upto the dateline given by the national Hajj Commission NAHCON,  but the governor in his wisdom as a father approved loan of two billion naira for the board to secured the State quota which Alhamdulillah was a success because we were able to pay for the 1,345 seats allocated to the state to but, unfortunately ,  the issue of increased came up and despite all odds the Board was also able to pay for 1,235 seats to allow our intending pilgrim to pay at ease even  after  Closure by the national Hajj  Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON)


As you are aware the National Hajj commission of Nigeria NAHCON gave four days for all intending pilgrims to add up the 1.918m to the initial Hajj  deposit of 6, 699, 000 naira, but due to the commitment of the Plateau State Governor he directed that the Board Should pay that balance  to secure the seats  for all our intending pilgrims and give them more time to add up. 


The Board has made  several announcements on both TV and Radio for all intending pilgrims to take advantage of this effort an pay the Balance, only last week the Board announced the closure of sales and completion of Hajj fare and  even the reporter can attest to the fact that there is a notice as  pasted at the Board .


Even if you made the payment in time, you have to wait for the account department to confirm that the money is in the Board account because of challenges experience these days with network.


 That is to say if the intending pilgrim as quoted in the report has made his payment before the closing date and is confirmed , insha Allah definitely he will be given the required attention. 


 for those who came to the Board with cash as at the time he files in this report , honestly they have missed the chance according to the directives by NAHCON as regard to 2024 Hajj. As National Hajj commission of Nigeria has since announced the number of Pilgrims from Plateau State that completed their Hajj fare to 6, 617, 032,91k.


However, since assumption of office the Executive Governor of Plateau State Barrister Caleb Mutfwang has demonstrated his political will in supporting religious activities without bias or any preferential treatment. 


The Governor cleared the backlog of Pilgrims' deposit to enable them perform the hajj while effort was being made to recover it from those who squandered it.


While thanking  the  intending pilgrims and the public for their support and cooperation. We assured you that the board doors are always open to any stakeholder that wants to contribute his/her own quota for a hitch free Hajj exercise 2024 insha Allah. 


The Board wishes to seize this opportunity to advicse the Blueprint reporter to be objective and fair in disseminating information to the public,  more so that the current Executive Secretary carries out his duties with decorum.


Yasir Isma'il Yahaya 

Information officer Plateau State Muslim pilgrims welfare Board 

13th April,2024