President Buhari has announced that there would be no federal government delegation for this year's hajj in Saudi Arabia.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, has stated on Monday that President Mohammadu Buhari in his bid to cut high cost of government's expenditure, has announced that there would be no federal government delegation for this year’s hajj in Saudi Arabia.
The president however stated that the government shall play its traditional roles of providing consular, medical and security services to Nigerian pilgrims.
With the decision, the federal government is expected to save about $1million and N30million in local expenses.
The spokesperson quoted the president as saying that the decision was not targeted at any individual or group. He also stated that States were at liberty to sponsor their pilgrims, if they so desired. “The states can deal with that (meaning appointment of own delegations) but this year at the Center, we will not be involved” Shehu said.