The Managing Director, Jaiz Bank Plc., Hassan Usman, has said that commencing savings for Hajj is like starting the journey to the Holy Land for pilgrimage.
Speaking yesterday at the launch of the Hajj Savings Scheme in Lagos, Mr Usman said the National Hajj Savings Scheme is a significant milestone for all stakeholders in the hajj ecosystem in Nigeria.
According to him, from planning, funding to actual operations, the scheme has the potentials to positively affect every act and actor in the process.
He said: “With such a scheme in place, intending pilgrims that do not have the wherewithal can gradually plan and actualize their dream without stress by saving gradually.
“Even those who may not live to witness the completion of their savings may by Allah’s infinite mercy receive the reward for Hajj because they are pilgrims by intention (niyyat) and action (amal) together.”
“As this Scheme grows over time, NAHCON and the various State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards can have the liquid funds required to effectively plan hajj operations early, thereby securing better bargain for accommodation and other services for their pilgrims.
“The scheme can also be the key to making them highly self-sustaining in the long run.
“On our part as a Bank, we are committed to this journey and we are ready to support it with best-in-class technology infrastructure as well as safe investment management practice.” MD added.
Speaking at the launch, Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urged the Muslims in the state to embrace the scheme in order to benefit in all forms.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Kadri Hamzat, the governor who described the scheme as a milestone, said his government would ensure its success at all level.
In his part, the Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Bar Zikirullah Hassan, said besides transforming the Hajj operations, the scheme would also help reduce cost of Hajj in the country.
He said with the new scheme, intending pilgrims needed not to sell their assets or liquidate their capital to go for Hajj, adding that they would rather be able to save gradually from their profits towards the journey.
The event attracted traditional rulers, Imams, Muslim associations and other intending piligrms.
