Jaiz Bank, in partnership with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has launched the National Hajj Savings Scheme in Kwara and Oyo states in a bid to make it easier for Muslims in the respective states to go on pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the launching, which took place in Ilorin On Wednesday and in Ibadan on Thursday, included a sensitization campaign for the prospective subscribers to the scheme.
Speaking at the occasions, Jaiz Bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Hassan Usman, who was represented by Ismaila Adamu said the Scheme is a significant milestone for all stakeholders in the Hajj ecosystem in the country.
According to him, the importance of the scheme emanated from the fact that right “from planning, funding to actual operations, the scheme has the potentials to positively affect every act and actor in the process.
“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.”
He added that even those who do not live long enough to complete their savings might still in “Allah’s infinite mercy receive the reward for hajj because they are pilgrims by bringing intention (niyyat) and action (amal) together”.
Also speaking, Halima Jibril, the representative of the NAHCON Chairman, Barr. Zikrullah Hassan, thanked the governments of the states for the hosting of the program.
She said the Scheme has several benefits amongst which is to assist the less-privilege to save money overtime to go to Hajj, adding that it also includes profits earnings from the savings.
She said: “You don’t have to sell your farmland to go to Hajj as the scheme will make Hajj fare affordable.”
In his response, the Secretary to Kwara State Government, Prof. Mammah Saba Jibril, welcomed the initiative, saying “with this sharia-compliant scheme, intending pilgrims can now save for Hajj overtime and even specify when they intend to go for Hajj.
“It will also no doubt raise the hope of less privileged Muslims ummahs to participate in the Hajj exercise by gradual deposit for Hajj.”
In his speech, Governor Sayi Makinde, represented by his Chief of Staff, Bisi Alaka, welcomed everyone to Ibadan, saying that is an important event taking place during his tenure as governor of Oyo State.
He said: “It is an initiative that would ensure discipline and teaches pilgrims financial inclusion.
“We will continue to implement policies that would promote the welfare of the people of the state. I, therefore, urge all Muslims in the state to subscribe to the scheme.”
