About three hundred and fifteen pilgrims on board Medveiw airline Boeing 747 have departed Lagos for the kingdom for Saudi Arabia today.
With this seventh flight, Lagos now has a total two thousand two hundred and thirty three (2,333) pilgrims that would be taking part in the 2017 Hajj exercise.
Addressing the pilgrims before their taken off, Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs and the State Amirul – Hajj, Dr AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef reminded the pilgrims of the spiritual importance of performing Hajj.
Urging them to represent Lagos well and to be good ambassadors of the Country by obeying every rules of the holy land, Dr AbdulLateef warned the pilgrims from helping people to hold items or bags they are not aware of its contents.
“Let me remind you that death is the reward for dealing in drugs in Saudi Arabia. Carry your luggage yourself, check from time to time and don’t help people to hold items that are not yours. Make sure you can defend what you have in your hands and luggage”
The Commissioner noted that unlike other previous flights that landed in Jeddah before the pilgrims proceeded on another eight hour journey to Madinah, this batch would be taken straight to King Abdul Azeez International Airport, Madinah and from there to there respective hotels.
The Amirul – Hajj assured pilgrims of improved welfare in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the provisions the Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode had put in place for them to perform an hitch free Hajj exercise.
However, Dr AbdulLateef who disclosed that one passport is yet to be released from the Saudi Arabia embassy in Abuja, said he will not leave Lagos until the pilgrims Visa is processed.
The Commissioner announced the Executive Secretary of Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Mufutau Okoya as the leader of the seventh batch also gave his mobile number to the pilgrims to send him text messages when they have any challenge.
The Commissioner prayed for safe flights for the Lagos pilgrims.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Mufutau Okoya has identified increase fees in visa procurement as the major challenge the board encounter particularly for pilgrims who had performed Hajj in the year 2015 or 2016.
He disclosed this while appraising the preparation for this year Hajj operations.
He explained that the board only knew of the increment information at the point of Visa procurement for pilgrims.
“It was very difficult to go back and tell about 100 pilgrims who were affected with the increase of two thousand riyals which is about two hundred thousand naira because they had performed Hajj in the year 2015 or 2016 but we thanked Allah the pilgrims board was able to cope”
The pilgrims Board Secretary also informed that female pilgrims constitute about sixty percent of the Lagos contingent to this year Hajj.
Alhaji Okoya urged the pilgrims to pray fervently for themselves, their relatives, the State and Nigeria at large.
Olalekan Murisiku
M. A To The Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs and the State Amirul – Hajj.
17/08/2017
