BENUE State governor, Samuel Ortom, has declared support for the National Hajj Savings Scheme (NHSS) an initiative aimed at enabling Muslim faithful to afford the cost of holy pilgrimage.
Ortom proclaimed his support on Monday during the launch of the scheme in Makurdi, the Benue State capital by NAHCON, in collaboration with the state’s Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and Jaiz Bank.
Ortom, who was represented by his Principal Special Assistant (PSA) on Investment, Alhaji Audu Sule, noted that Benue State did not have a branch of Jaiz Bank before, so it was interesting for the bank to open a branch in the state, saying it was part of investment.
Alhaji Audu Sule, a former deputy speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, who also doubles as this year’s Amir Hajji, Benue State, stated that apart from assisting the intending pilgrims, who could not afford pilgrimage bills, the bank will guarantee self-sustenance for the depositors and the profit shared among appropriate beneficiaries.
“Our religion, Islam does not believe in making profit, but whatever interest that comes from the money will be shared between the depositor, the state, the National Hajj Commission and the bank itself. So, they have equal opportunities of benefiting from the saving scheme. While you are saving money to travel, you are also making profit from it,” Alhaji Sule said.
On his part, Executive Secretary, Benue State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji, Mustapha Ibrahim, said the scheme will provide indirect employment opportunities for people and generate revenue for the state. He thanked Governor Ortom for his support to the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and for finding him (Ibrahim) worthy to serve in his (governor’s) administration.
Alhaji Ibrahim equally appreciated the First Lady, Mrs Eunice Ortom, for her efforts and cordial relationship with Muslim women in the state, which according to him, showed that she was unbiased and a mother to all irrespective of tribe or religion.
In his remark, NHSS Coordinator, Alhaji Aliyu Tanko, charged Muslims in the state to take advantage of the scheme and be its Ambassadors by encouraging others to join.
Other dignitaries at the event were Benue State Chief Imam, Dr Suleiman Habeeb, and Leader, Muslim Community in Benue State, Alhaji Garba Baba, among others.
