The Chairman of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Malam Jalal Arabi, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s timely intervention made this year’s Hajj possible for Nigerian pilgrims.
Arabi made this known during an inaugural flight for Lagos State pilgrims at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja.
The NAHCON boss urged the pilgrims to make special prayers for the President.
He said: “We know no human can do anything unless Allah wishes that it happens. But we would be very unfair to ourselves and to history if we don’t mention the effort made by our President (President Tinubu) In ensuring that the 2024 Hajj becomes a reality.
“At a point, everybody has lost hope, we were not sure if there is going to be pilgrimage, but Alhamdulillah, Mr President went all out to ensure this year’s hajj becomes a reality.
“So, I urge you (the pilgrims) to make special dua for President Tinubu when you get to Saudi Arabia, because Allah has blessed us with a compassion leader who feels for everyone irrespective of your faith or creed, so, we can’t ask for anything more.”
He enjoined the pilgrims to make Nigeria proud in the Holy Land by abiding with the rules and regulations of the country. “Do the dos and don’t do the don’ts in Saudi Arabia. If you stay on that path, you’ll have no cause to worry. You’ll perform your duties with ease and happiness,” he said.
Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ibrahim Layode, expressed his appreciation on behalf of the intending pilgrims for the Chairman’s show of love and his admonitions.
He promised the NAHCON Chairman and his entourage that the state’s pilgrims would not disappoint the country but exhibit exemplary conduct and behaviours whilst in the Holy land.
Layode thanked Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his immense support for the Hajj exercise.
READ ALSO
Twitter Has Fully Migrated To X.com, Elon Musk Confirms
Court Jails Lagos Cosmetic Surgeon Over Failed Plastic Surgery
NCC Suspends Issuance of Virtual Operators License, Two Others
NCC’s Omoniyi Ibietan Elected APRA Secretary-General
NAHCON Director of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, commended officials of Lagos State for a better arrangement.
He said: “We like the arrangement Lagos State has made. So far so good I think everything is going on smoothly.
“The pilgrims were brought on time for the flight. Things are going on smoothly. The commissioner, special adviser and baord hace done a great job.”
Prince Elegushi, who is the immediate past Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, said the seamless operation is synonyms with Lagos State over the years.
He announced that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has agreed to release Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) in cash to the pilgrims as against the credit card.
Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Islamic Matters Dr Abdullahi Jebe, hailed the CBN for allowing to give 100 per cent cash to pilgrims.
Dr Jebe said the credit card would have cost the pilgrims much damaged in the Holy Land.
The first batch of 423 pilgrims that departed Lagos to Madinah aboard Flynas flight XY8048 has safely arrived at the King Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah yesterday evening.
The second batch of another 423 pilgrims are already set for airlift in early hours of Saturday.