Gov. Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State has appointed the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Alhaji Tukur Bala, to lead the state’s 2024 Hajj delegation.

This development was communicated on Friday in Sokoto through a statement issued by the Press Secretary to the Governor, Malam Abubakar Bawa.

“Bala will lead a 13-member committee tasked with ensuring the smooth conduct of the 2024 Hajj operations.

“Among the committee members are the state All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Alhaji Isa Sadiq-Achida, and Alhaji Abubakar Shehu, the Chairman of the Sokoto State House of Assembly Committee on Religious Affairs.

“Other members include Hajiya Asabe Balarabe, the Commissioner for Health, Hajia Asabe Balarabe; Chief of Staff of the Government House, Aminu Dikko; Khadi Idris Adamu; Umar Gandi; Sarkin Mallaman Sokoto; and Sarkin Bodinga.

“Also included are Liman Muhammadu Dangande, Aliyu Oroji, and Hajiya Nana Yakubu.

“The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Mustapha Alkali, will serve as the Secretary of the Committee,” the statement noted.

According to the statement, the mandate of the delegation is to arrange, coordinate, supervise, and ensure the successful conduct of the 2024 Hajj operations both in Nigeria and in the Holy Land.

“This includes organising flight schedules and making necessary arrangements for the welfare of the intending pilgrims both at home and in the Holy Land.

“The delegation will also liaise with Hajj sub-committees for the successful conduct of the exercise and supervise the sub-committees in both Nigeria and Saudi Arabia for the smooth operation of the 2024 Hajj,” it stated. (NAN)