Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board will commence registration and collection of deposit from intending pilgrims from the six Area Councils wishing to perform the 2017 hajj on Jan. 16.
The Public Relations Officer of the board, Malam Lawal Aliyu made the disclosure in a statement issued to newsmen on Saturday in Abuja.
He said that intending pilgrims who wished to perform the pilgrimage through the Board are to present bank draft of minimum of N1 million, payable to the board and their International Passports to book for a seat.
He added that the board would not entertain payment by proxy and bulk purchase of the forms by individuals.
The PRO said that all intending pilgrims must be guaranteed by the Chief Imam of Area Councils, traditional rulers or senior civil servant on Grade Level 12 and above as contained in the guideline for the registration of 2017 intending Pilgrims by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
Aliyu said that female intending pilgrims would only be registered with their male guide (Muharam) in line with the regulations issued by the government of Saudi Arabia.
He said that the board had introduced measures to ensure proficiency and safeguard against fraud in the 2017 hajj.
According to Aliyu, the measures are aimed at ensuring transparency in the sale of hajj forms and to ensure that intending pilgrims from the territory get the best service.
The spokesman said that the board had resolved to register intending pilgrims on first-come first-serve basis while first timers would be given priority. (NAN)