LAGOS State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has condoled with the family of Alhaja Kuburat Shekoni who died on Wednesday in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, after completing the hajj rites.
The state’s Amir-ul-Hajj, Prince Anofiu Elegushi disclosed this on Wednesday in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, at a press conference organised by the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (LSMPWB) on the 2023 hajj operations.
Elegushi, according to a statement by Assistant Director, Public Affairs, at LSMPWB, Taofeek Lawal, stated that the governor was sad when the news of Alhaja Shekoni’s death was broken to him.
The immediate past Commissioner for Home Affairs said the governor’s hope was to have all the state’s 3,662 pilgrims back home hale and hearty.
“While urging the family to accept the situation as the wish of Allah, Sanwo-Olu, on behalf of the government and people of the state, prayed God to forgive Shekoni’s shortcomings and give the family the fortitude to bear the loss,” Elegushi said.
He disclosed that the deceased 66-year-old pilgrim from Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area was found dead in the bathroom by her roommate, adding that the medical centre of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) would give details of the cause of her death after its investigation.
Meanwhile, the Amir-ul-Hajj announced that the rest of the pilgrims would start their journey back home today with a “special flight” expected to airlift the elderly and those with medical challenges.
He said the airlift would continue until 22 July when the officials, too, would be airlifted.
Elegushi expressed the hope that having informed the pilgrims about the rules on luggage, the pilgrims would stick to the 32kg allowed by the airline for main luggage and desist from carrying water or any liquid item in their bags, saying that the ZamZam water had already been transported to Nigeria awaiting their arrival.
Speaking on inadequate bed space and feeding in Mina, he absolved the state and NAHCON of blame, saying that the fault was that of the Saudi Arabian authorities who failed to make adequate provision for bed space commensurate with the number of pilgrims that participated in the holy pilgrimage this year.
On the issue of feeding, he suggested that the respective states should be allowed to engage their own indigenous caterers to provide local delicacies for their pilgrims instead of giving the responsibility solely to the Arabs.
He also appealed to NAHCON to seek working permits for medical personnel brought by the states in order to be able to provide first-aid treatment for pilgrims with medical challenges in order to complement the commission’s efforts and reduce pressure on the personnel in its clinics.
Elegushi urged NAHCON to reduce its autonomy and relinquish some rights to the states.
“NAHCON should trust us to deliver on some activities if given the chance. They should trust the states to handle things, entrust certain activities to us and guide us”, he said.
Speaking on future plans, the Amir-ul-Hajj said that with effect from next year, the board would go digital on the sale of hajj form.
“As from next year, the purchase of hajj form, payment for hajj fare and all processes will be done online in order to reduce paper work and time”, he said.
He added that there would be improvement in accommodation and feeding for the pilgrims.
He used the medium to express his gratitude to Governor Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, for their support for the success of the hajj operation.
He also thanked former Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic matters, Dr Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe; the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mrs Lolade Aina; the LSMPWB chairman, Imam Shakiru Gafar; and the secretary and members of the board’s staff for their support and cooperation.
He also commended the pilgrims for following instructions, for comporting themselves well and for being good ambassadors of the state in the holy land.
According to him, their conduct prompted Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Yahya Lawal, to, during his visit to their tent in Mina, describe them as the most disciplined pilgrims at the 2033 hajj .
Also present at the press briefing were former Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic matters, Dr Jebe; the board’s chairman, Imam Gafar, among other officials of the board.
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