The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says Biometric Data Capturing for the 2019 intending pilgrims is ongoing in seven states of Kwara, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Zamfara and Niger .
The Head, Public Affairs Department of NAHCON, Mrs Fatima Usara, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
Usara explained that the states where the exercise has begun are those that have successfully uploaded details of their registered intending pilgrims on the e-portal and also completed all other necessary requirements.
Usara quoted the Executive Chairman of the commission, Malam Abdullahi Muhammad, as expressing appreciation to the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Adnan Bostaji and the Kingdom’s Consulate in Kano for facilitating early commencement of the biometric data registration.
The NAHCON boss acknowledged VHS Tasheel for their preparedness in starting the process immediately.
The chairman aslo commended the state boards currently performing the exercise for their cooperation.
Muhammad urged other state pilgrims’ boards to emulate those states that had fulfilled all registration requirements which enabled them to begin the data-capturing for their pilgrims.
He said that early biometric registration was essential to forestall last-minute rush, thereby forcing intending pilgrims to panick.
The chairman advised intending pilgrims not to hesitate in making payment of the hajj fare ahead of time to avoid consequences of doing so.
“Intending pilgrims must make their payments in banks and thereafter present the bank draft to their respective boards.
“ They must also ensure that their correct details are uploaded in the e-portal after completing payment,” he said.
