The Lagos State Government through its Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has airlifted a total of 2,379 intending pilgrims for the holy pilgrimage exercise.
The pilgrims comprising 994 males and 1,385 females have so far been airlifted to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The immediate past Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi gave these figures during the airlift of the seventh batch of the state contingent, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja.
Elegushi stated that the airlifting exercise which was kick-started last week Thursday, June 1, ahead of the initial scheduled date of June 4, has been encouraging so far.
Visa issuance
He noted that the only challenge was the delay being experienced in the issuance of visas by the Saud Arabian Embassy in Abuja.
Elegushi said; “So far, so good, the airlifting exercise has been so smooth and hitch-free, except for the delay in the issuance of visas to the intending pilgrims by the Saudi Embassy”
“If the visa issuance had been as fast as expected, the state would have by now moved all the intending pilgrims to the Kingdom.”
He however, said that the Embassy had been contacted to fast-track the processes to ensure that all the remaining intending pilgrims get their visas within the shortest period so that they can join other Muslims across the world in performing the Hajj rites by the teachings of the Holy Prophet.
While commending the intending pilgrims for their patience, perseverance and understanding despite the challenges of visa issuance, he appealed to them not to get frustrated about the situation but to
continue to bear with the State as it works hard to surmount the challenges.
Elegushi promised that none of the government officials would travel for the exercise until all the paid intending pilgrims are satisfactorily airlifted.
NAHCON Commendations
Elegushi also commended the South West Zonal coordinator of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Mr Gafar Babatunde and his team as well as Flynas Airline for the excellent services they have both delivered since the airlifting exercise began.
He appreciated the Flynas Airline for its exemplary conduct which had greatly assisted the state in achieving the milestone.
Peaceful conduct
Addressing the intending pilgrims before their departure, the Board Chairman, Imam Shakiru Gafar also appreciated them for their peaceful conduct over the delay in the issuance of visas.
While noting that the visa could only be issued by the Saudi Embassy, he corroborated Prince Elegushi by giving assurances that none of them would be left behind without securing their visa.
He stressed that the state was equal to the task and would do anything humanly possible to assuage their feelings.
Gafar appealed to them to exhibit exemplary conduct of peace and patience throughout their stay in the holy land to improve the good image of the state and the nation at large and for their supplications to be accepted by Allah.
Hajj Slots
Lagos State was allocated 3,644 slots for this year’s spiritual exercise by NAHCON.
Meanwhile, the breakdown of how the state’s contingents were airlifted since inception is as follows; 868 were airlifted in three batches on Thursday 1st June. The first batch had 390, the second batch 428 and the third batch 50.
The fourth batch on Friday 2nd June had 253; the fifth batch on Saturday 3rd June, 426 were airlifted. The sixth flight which took off on Monday 5th June, had 417 on board while the seventh batch which left in the early hours of Tuesday 6th June, had 415 intending pilgrims on board. This has put the number of intending pilgrims already airlifted by the state to 2,379.
Contrabands
The officer in charge of the Nigeria Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Chief Superintendent of Narcotics, Alh. Isiaku Salau told reporters that in fulfilling its mandate, the agency ensured that all the intending pilgrims travelling through the airport are thoroughly screened to ensure that none of them leaves the country with illicit drugs and other prohibited items.
He cautioned others yet to be airlifted to avoid taking along prohibited items such as Tramadol, cola nut, heroine, etc. while embarking on the spiritual journey, adding that if they are caught whether in Nigeria or Saudi Arabia, they would be punished by the laws.
Mercy Chukwudiwbere
