The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Wednesday rewarded a pilgrim from Nasarawa State, Suleman Bello, for returning money belonging to an Afghanistan Pilgrim, Haji Mosa Gousdin.

The Pilgrim had returned 2,345 US Dollars (N466,655), 303 Saudi Riyals (N16,076) and 3,020 AFN (N9,370) to the Nassarawa State Pilgrim Welfare Board, which subsequently took the money to NAHCON.

Presenting the money to the owner through an official of the Afghanistan Hajj Ministry, Sayed Tahir Hashimi in Mecca, NAHCON Chairman, Abdullahi Mukhtar, said Bello would participate in next year’s hajj on the ticket of the commission.

“This is a reward for honesty and truthfulness. Bello is a worthy representative of Muslims community in Nigeria and Nigerians in General,’’ he said.

Mukhtar said the pilgrim had chosen to honour his religion and to project the image of Nigeria rather than to use the money for selfish personal interest.

“This is to prove to you that Nigerians are honest and truthful. We appreciate Bello’s gesture. This shows that he is a good Muslim and true Nigerian.’’

Receiving the money on behalf of the pilgrim, Hashimi thanked NAHCON for contacting Afghan’s officials in Mecca, who inturn, traced the owner of the money.

He appreciated the effort of both the pilgrim and NAHCON, adding, “May Allah reward Bello with Aljannah Firdausi.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Gousdin, who could not hide his happiness, said he would forever remember the good gesture of Nigerians. (NAN)