The Independent Hajj Reporters, a civil society organisation has called for the extension of the ban to Amirul hajj delegations at all levels owing to the decision of some state government to discontinue the sponsorship of pilgrims to hajj.

This was contained in a statement jointly signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammed and publicity secretary, Abubakar Mahmoud.

According to the statement "the role of amirul hajj delegations is more of ceremonial as opposed to operational expediencies. Because of lack of clear-cut responsibility assigned to Amirul Hajj, they end up creating a parallel authority thereby usurping the power of a legally recognized pilgrims welfare boards officials and agencies.

"It will be recalled that Kaduna, Nasarawa, Kwara and Kano state had earlier announced discontinuation of sponsorships of pilgrims, in which Independent Hajj Reporters had earlier issued a statement commending them for taking such step," it noted.

Meanwhile, the statement also commended Nasssarawa and Kwara states for their decision not to sponsor ordinary pilgrims to this year. "We encourage other states to toe the same and instead empower their various state pilgrims welfare board to carry out their primary responsibility of efficient service delivery to the pilgrims," the statement added.