The first batch of 423 Lagos pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj has arrived in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, to commence their religious rites.
This was disclosed on Saturday by the Head of the Public Affairs unit at the Lagos Pilgrims Welfare Board, Taofeek Lawal.
Another set of 423 pilgrims, forming the second batch from over 1,800 Lagosians expected to participate in the Hajj, has been airlifted to the holy land.
Prior to their departure, Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Ahmad Arabi, was in Lagos State to bid farewell to the first batch of intending pilgrims.
Arabi, accompanied by National Commissioner for Operations, Inspectorate, and Licenses, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi and other officials, described Hajj as a rare opportunity, noting that many wished to participate but couldn’t due to various circumstances.
He said, “For you to be called to perform Hajj, you must be extra ordinarily lucky, but it is a rear opportunity. Allah has given you the opportunity. It may be your last opportunity, to some it may be the beginning. So what do you do when you have the last opportunity? it is to utilize it so well”.
The NAHCON boss further appealed to the pilgrims to make the country proud by abiding by the rules and regulations of Saudi Arabia, noting, “Do the dos and don’t do the don’ts. If you stay on that path, you have no cause to worry.”
He reminded the pilgrims that they were undertaking a religious obligation and must therefore be patient in all circumstances.
He urged them not to fight or quarrel with officials, emphasizing that any issues should be resolved amicably, as “we are all human.” He encouraged them to be good ambassadors and shining examples for others to emulate.
Wishing them a safe journey, he encouraged the pilgrims to pray for the country and its leaders, particularly President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, whose intervention made the 2024 Hajj exercise possible for Nigerians.
The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ibrahim Layode, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the intending pilgrims for the Chairman’s show of support and his guidance.
He assured the NAHCON Chairman and his entourage that the state’s pilgrims would not disappoint the country and would exhibit exemplary conduct and behavior while in the Holy Land.
