Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Pharm. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf has paid an official familiarisation visit to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in Abuja.
During the visit, Akinbile-Yussuf met with officials of the Commission, including its Ag. Chairman, Barr. Muhammad Mukhtar, saying the tour was to acquaint herself with the operations of NAHCON as well as discuss ways of improving Hajj activities in Nigeria.
The meeting deliberated on a wide range of issues relating to the Hajj exercise including medical screening, accommodation, media and publicity as well as ways of further strengthening pilgrimage processes in Nigeria.
Akinbile-Yussuf expressed her appreciation to NAHCON officials, particularly the Director, Hajj Orientation, Dr. Tanko Alliu, for their efforts at ensuring the safe return of a 'depressed pilgrim' Alh. Mustapha Taiwo, who got missing in Saudi Arabia while performing the 2019 Holy Pilgrimage, noting that his safe return to Nigeria was a great relief to the State.
Confirming receipt of the death certificates of the two Lagos State pilgrims who lost their lives in Saudi Arabia, the Commissioner expressed optimism that the international passports of the deceased persons, Alh. Siraj Kayode Molake and Hadja Mulikat Shade Lawal will be handed over to the State soon.
She appealed to NAHCON to expedite action towards the speedy retrieval of the documents from the Saudi Authorities.
In his response, the Ag, Chairman NAHCON, Barr. Muhammad Mukhtar promised to investigate issues surrounding the delayed release of the passports by Saudi Arabia, promising that the documents will be forwarded the Board, upon retrieval, for onward transmission to the families of the deceased.
Mukhtar pronounced Lagos State as the best in Hajj operations, commended the exemplary behaviour and conduct of Lagos pilgrims in the Holy land and applauded the Ministry for its proficiency in handling hajj procedures leading to the holy pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mr. Rahman Ishola has announced the conclusion of arrangements for the sale of forms to intending pilgrims for Umrah (lesser hajj) and the Hajj exercise next year.
According to Ishola, the application forms for Umrah will cost N5,000 while those for Hajj attract a sum of N10,000
While stating that the sales of the forms will begin on Monday, 18th November, 2019, he implored those interested in performing the Umrah (lesser hajj) to contact the office of the Secretary for more details about payment and other vital information.The Secretary, therefore, urged interested individuals to take advantage of the opportunity of the exceptional services provided to hajj pilgrims by Lagos State government.
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