The Oyo State Government has announced that 779 prospective pilgrims with the Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Muslim Wing, will leave Nigeria on Friday, June 17 for this year’s spiritual Hajj performance in Saudi Arabia.
Prof. Sayeed Malik, Chairman of the Board, announced this today at the Board Office, Hajj Camp, Olodo Ibadan, during the delivery of Hajj Clothes, Bags, and other essential materials to Intending Pilgrims.
Prof Malik also urged pilgrims planning to perform the Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2022 to pray for Nigeria while in the country.
He said that the first group of Pilgrims will be transported from Ibadan to Lagos State on Thursday, June 16th, and will depart the following day for the Holy Land of Saudi Arabia.
“The first batch of Oyo State Intending Pilgrims for this year’s Hajj is going to leave Ibadan on Thursday 16th June and airlifted insha Allah early morning of the Friday, that is 17th July 2020”, he sad.
While advising those who were unable to obtain the necessary items today to do so as soon as possible, the Chairman added that the Executive Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, will meet with the intending pilgrims on Wednesday 15 to wish them well.
“Seven hundred and seventy-nine (779) people are expected to perform this year’s Hajj from the State,” he said.
The Chairman urged all aspiring pilgrims to gather at Hajj Camp in Olodo on Thursday, June 16th, to begin their journey from Ibadan to Lagos.
As a result, he admonished them to follow all Saudi government rules and to be good ambassadors for the state and Nigeria in general.
“They must realise that they are going there for religious exercises, they must be careful not to go against regulations from the Saudi Arabia Government and abide by instructions given by officials of the Board because they are more knowledgeable than they are as far as Hajj is concern”, he advised.
“They should not do things that can tarnish the good image of Oyo State in particular and Nigeria in general”, the Board’s Chairman warned.
“They must ensure they do not carry any illicit drug along with them because the Law Enforcement Agencies will be on ground to examine them thoroughly”, he also added.