*Photo: Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu *
The Lagos State Amir-ul-Hajj for 2024 Hajj exercise, Hon. Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode has craved the indulgence of the 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 their departure from Lagos to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Hon. Layode, who is also the Hon. 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 sacricial rams, monetization of their Ihram clothes as well as 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 forth batches who are yet to collect theirs.
He emphasized 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 Mr. Governor, his deputy and the state in general.
The Amiru-ul-Hajj 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. He said that the rules are very strict because the authorities does not want any body with ordinary visiting visa around Muna and Arafah, except those with certified Hajj visa.
While urging them not to overstressed themselves before the commencement of the real Hajj rituals in Muna, Arafah, Musdalifah and Jamarat (site for throwing of pebbles), he assured them that the state has enough drugs to be administered to them by the medical team if the need arises. 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 come to manifestation.
