
The Presidency on Friday night responded to scathing criticisms of its decision to make the American dollar available to 2016 Hajj pilgrims at a concessionary rate of N197 to a dollar.
A short statement issued last night by Senior Special Assistant to the President Media & Publicity, Garba Shehu, said: “The exchange rate of N197:00 to a Dollar was approved by the President about three months ago, much earlier than the new FOREX
regime came into being.
“The Chairman of the Hajj Commission has confirmed that it is non-discriminatory.
“It was approved for Christian and Muslim pilgrimages for this year. The CBN has offered an explanation.”
•Photo shows Garba Shehu.



























NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s leading online newspaper. Published by Africa’s international award-winning journalist, Mr. Isaac Umunna, NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s first truly professional online daily newspaper. It is published from Lagos, Nigeria’s economic and media hub, and has a provision for occasional special print editions. Thanks to our vast network of sources and dedicated team of professional journalists and contributors spread across Nigeria and overseas, NEWS EXPRESS has become synonymous with newsbreaks and exclusive stories from around the world.