Pray for Nigeria’s progress, envoy urges pilgrims, hails Lagos team

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Amb. Yahya Lawal, has urged the pilgrims performing this year’s Hajj to pray for the progress, stability, peace, security and well-being of Nigeria.
Ambassador Lawal gave the charge when he led a delegation including the Consular-General and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Sudan, Amb. Bello Kazaure; the Chairman/CEO National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Alhaji Zikhrullah Kunle Hassan, on a courtesy visit to the Lagos tent in Mina, Saudi, last Thursday.
He described Lagos State pilgrims as one of the most disciplined during the 2023 Hajj.
This is contained in a statement by Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Taofeek Lawal.
The diplomat extended the best wishes of President Bola Tinubu to the entire pilgrims from the state.
He also said that the delegation paid the visit based on the directive of the President.
He said, “The President requested that the team should visit the pilgrims and we are impressed with their exemplary conduct which was a reflection of the effective and efficient work the Amir-ul-Hajj and other officials of the state government have put in place”.
On his part, the Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Alhaji Hassan, absolved Lagos State of any blame in respect of the challenges faced by the pilgrims over inadequate allocation of bed spaces and meals in Mina.
He said neither NAHCON nor the state officials had any blame.
The NAHCON boss however apologised to the pilgrims for all the shortcomings and difficulties they had passed through.
He prayed that Allah would accept their Hajj as act of ibaadah and reward them with Aljanat Fridaus.
On the $700 Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA) given to each of the pilgrims, Hassan explained that it was not peculiar to only Lagos but every Nigerian pilgrim.
He stressed that because of the war going on in Sudan and the demand for increment in airfare by the airlines, NAHCON had to deduct $100 from the initial $800 the pilgrims were expected to collect as BTA.
He affirmed that although Flynas, a Saudi Arabia-based airline that flew the 3,662 Lagos pilgrims did not ask for any increment, NAHCON decided to also deduct the $100 from each of its pilgrims for the sake of equity and fairness.
He said the agency on its part added $250 for every pilgrims across the country.
The state Amir-ul-Hajj, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, said the pilgrims had been so enduring despite the bed space issue and the kind of meals served by the Saudi caterers engaged by the service providers.
He appealed to NAHCON to prevail on the Saudi authorities to hand over the kitchen to each of the participating states, saying that they are in the best position to provide local delicacies for their pilgrims through reputable caterers during subsequent exercises.
He also expressed the hope that NAHCON would ensure that airlifting of the pilgrims back to Nigeria commences as soon as possible and seamless.
Meanwhile, the pilgrims board has organised a special prayer session to round off the Mina activities.

The prayer session which is usually done annually before pilgrims depart Mina for Makkah on the third day of throwing pebbles at the Jamarat, was designed to specifically pray to Allah to accept the Hajj exercise, the supplications of the pilgrims, pray for the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and the good people of the state as well as for peace and tranquility in Nigeria as a whole.
Government functionaries present at the prayer session are the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba; Amir-ul-Hajj, Prince Elegushi, and former Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic matters, Alhaji Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe.
Others included the Board Chairman, Imam (Engr.) Shakiru Ayinde Gafar; Prof. AbdulKabir Paramole (Badagry); Dr. (Mrs.) Faosat Dabiri (Lagos); Alh. Yusuf Ara (Epe); Hon. AbdulWaheed Shonibare (Ikeja) and Alh. Mojeed Sanni (Ikorodu); Board Secretary, Mr. Olayiwola Saheed Onipede; Alh. Monsur Olowoshago; Dr. Animashaun of LASU.