Pilgrims from Lagos and Rivers states presently observing the 2024 hajj exercise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have been offered special welfare intervention to ease their spiritual routine in the holy land.
Essentially, Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu has approved payments for sacrificial rams, monetisation of Ihram clothes as well as ziyyarah (visitation) to historical sites in both Makkah and Madinah for Lagos State pilgrims.
Just as his counterpart from Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, granted approval for additional USD$300 to each pilgrim from Rivers, apart from their USD$420 Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) already paid to both state sponsored and private pilgrims.
The states’ intervention came as the Saudi Arabia ministry of health donated 300 units of Malaria Test Kits to National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) as part of measures to enhance health burden of pilgrims in the holy land.
The donation targeted to facilitate early diagnosis and prompt treatment of clinical condition of pilgrims, a bilateral support that indicates the level of earned confidence of the Kingdom’s Health Ministry by the NAHCON health facilities.
Just few days ago, the Kingdom approved operation of three clinical centres by managed by NAHCON in Makkah to enhance wellness of Nigerian pilgrims during the spiritual exercise.
Lagos state Amir-ul-Hajj for 2024, Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode, disclosed the Governor’s gesture on Tuesday while addressing the pilgrims at Alsaad Flower Hotel 2, Misfalla, Makkah.
Layode who doubles as Commissioner for Home Affairs noted that Governor Sanwo-Olu also gave each pilgrims another 100 Saudi Riyals as pocket money for their stay in Muna and Arafah in addition to the $100 shortfall in the Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) for pilgrims on the third and forth batches who are yet to collect theirs.
He emphasised that he came along with the monies to fulfill all the pledges for the pilgrims on behalf of Mr. Governor, stressing that they needed to do was to reciprocate the kind gestures with fervent prayers for Governor, his deputy and the state in general.
A statement by assistant director, Lagos Pilgrims Welfare Board, Taofeek Lawal the Commissioner appealed to the pilgrims to comply with the rules and regulations spread out by the Saudi authorities in respect of this year’s Hajj rituals.
While bidding farewell to Rivers State contingents at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Governor Fubara emphasised that the pilgrims should engage in special prayers that will bring blessings and development to the state and the country.
