*Photo: Sanwo-Olu*
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has urged the intending pilgrims embarking on the 2023 holy pilgrimage through the state to pray for the country.
The Governor made the plea in his keynote address at the One-Day Seminar organised by the State Muslim Pilgrims Board, at De- Blue Roof, Lagos Television, Agidingbi, Ikeja, on Sunday.
Speaking through his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, the governor said the country is very much in need of prayers as she transit to another government on May 29. He urged the intending pilgrims to pray for success of the in-coming administration of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The immediate past Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi announced that a total of 3,588 intending pilgrims would be performing the spiritual exercise through the state. He also stated that the first batch would depart from Lagos to Madinah on Sunday 4th of June, through Flynas airline, a Saudi Arabia based airline, adding that the airline has been known for excellent service delivery over the years.
While informing the gathering that the Governor has approved the sum of 100 Saudi Riyal for each of the intending pilgrims for their Ihram clothe, Elegushi urged them to reciprocate the kind gesture by praying for the success of the Governor and his deputy in their second term in office.
Speaking on the efforts put in place towards ensuring a hiitch-free exercise, he said that a befitting accommodation had been secured for them within a working distance from the Haram in Makkah. He stressed further that each of the intending pilgrims is entitled to a Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA) of 800 US dollars while the cost of Hadiyah ram and ziyyarah of historical sites have been factored into the Hajj fare paid the pilgrims.
Delivering lecture on the topic, ‘Procedures of performing acceptable and rewarding Hajj’, the Guest Lecturer, Sheikh Muhydeen Ajani Bello, Chief Missioner, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Kano Branch, advised the intending pilgrims to make the fear of God.
