Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has urged Muslim pilgrims from state to be good ambassadors of the state during their stay in Saudi Arabia.
Lalong made the call in his farewell message to the pilgrims on Monday in Jos.
“I urge all intending Muslim pilgrims to see themselves as good ambassadors of the state, by showing positive and God fearing attitudes in the Holy Land.
“Plateau pilgrims in the previous outings of the pilgrimage had always elicited exemplary record of good behaviour, honesty, sincerity, discipline and orderliness in all their affairs,” he said.
Lalong expressed happiness that all the arrangements had been concluded for the successful transportation of the pilgrims.
According to him, his administration had been sensitive to the needs and desires of the citizens of the state for spiritual upliftment.
“Accordingly, government has taken up the financial burden of sponsoring a total of 630 Muslim pilgrims to the Holy Land in 2019.
“The team for this year’s spiritual exercise is led by the Amirul Hajj, His Lordship, Justice Mohammed Ibrahim Sirajo of Plateau State Judiciary,” he said.
Meanwhile, the governor has commended Auwal Abdullah, the Executive Secretary, Plateau Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, for making history as the first leader to refund money to government after the Hajj.
“It has now become an uncommon feat by returning a total sum of N58 million, being unspent funds after the completion of the 2018 Hajj.
“There were no complaints by any of the pilgrims, either of neglect or allied inconvenience, he has shown as person that submits to the supremacy of Almighty God,” he said.
Justice Sirajo, the Amirul Hajj, said that all aspects of the Hajj operations had been handled in an organised manner both at home and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“We have also been assured by the airlines and landlords in Saudi Arabia that they are ready to ensure a hitch-free Hajj operation,” he said.
Alhaji Auwal Abdullahi, the Executive Secretary of the board, in his remarks, thanked Gov. Lalong for his approvals for the Hajj exercise.
