Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and other related offenses (ICPC) to have a corrupt free hajj operations.
Executive Secretary, Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Sheikh Muhammad Awwal Aliyu stated this when he received the Resident Commissioner, ICPC Niger State, Mr Kennedy Ebhotemey and his team on a visit in Minna.
Sheikh Auwalu Aliyu explained that since his assumption to office in 2023 he has brought initiatives that has put to end all fraudulent activities within the Board and hajj operations.
According to him, ICPC is a major stakeholder for the Board and working closely together will ensure corrupt free hajj operations and zero pilgrims’ fraudulent activities.
He said since his assumption no member of Staff has been involved in fraudulent activities except for the issue of third parties who used to disguised as agents of the Board promising intending pilgrims of getting them slot(s) for less than the official hajj fare as announced by Government thereby defrauding unsuspecting pilgrims.
Earlier, the State resident Commissioner ICPC, Mr Kennedy Ebhotemey decried the attitude of some prominent figures who fraudulently collected monies from innocent individuals with the name of securing hajj slots for them and not fulfilling their obligations and will not return the money. “We are handling a similar case presently”.
He however emphasized that as part of their mandate, the ICPC will help the Board in enlightening the public, using enforcement to prevent the occurrence of such practices towards bringing sanity into the system.
The interface provided opportunity for questions, answers and clarifications on the activities of both the ICPC and the Board to ensure stronger alliance.