The Lagos State Amir-ul-Hajj for the 2024 Hajj exercise, Hon. Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode, has called on the state’s pilgrims to offer prayers for Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, for fulfilling all the pledges made to them before they departed from Lagos to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Hon. Layode, who is also the Commissioner for Home Affairs, stated this while addressing the pilgrims at Alsaad Flower Hotel 2, Misfalla, Makkah, after his arrival on Tuesday.
He informed the pilgrims that the promises made by Mr. Governor to pay for their sacrificial rams, the monetization of their Ihram clothes, and Ziyyarah (visitation) to historical sites in both Makkah and Madinah have been fulfilled.
He added that the governor also gave each of them 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 fourth batches who are yet to collect theirs.
Speaking further, the Amir-ul-Hajj emphasized that he came along with the funds to fulfil all the pledges for the pilgrims on behalf of Mr. Governor, stressing that what they needed to do was reciprocate the kind gestures with fervent prayers for Mr. Governor, his deputy and the state in general.
He, however, appealed to the pilgrims to comply with the rules and regulations spread out by the Saudi authorities with respect to this year’s Hajj rituals. He said that the rules are very strict because the authorities do not want anybody with an ordinary visiting visa around Muna and Arafah, except those with certified Hajj visas.
While urging them not to overstress themselves before the commencement of the real Hajj rituals in Muna, Arafah, Musdalifah and Jamarat (the sites for throwing pebbles), he assured them that the state had enough drugs to be administered to them by the medical team if the need arose.
He also encouraged them to cooperate fully with the government officials, saying this would make all the plans put in place by the State Government towards achieving a successful operation manifest.
