A high-powered delegation from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), led by Commissioner for Operations, Inspectorate, and Compliance, Prince Anofi Olanrewaju Elegushi, visited South West and Armed Forces pilgrims at their Mina tent.
The visit aimed to appraise pilgrims’ observations, recommendations, and provide guidance on their return journey.
Commissioner Elegushi used the avenue to praise the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the bold reforms embarked upon by his administration.
While acknowledging that the subsidy removal, floating of the naira, and other genuine reforms came with initial hardship, he affirmed that the reforms are now yielding fruitful results, as prices of foods and other items are gradually coming down.
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He, however, appealed to Nigerians, especially market men and women, transporters, among others, to reciprocate this improvement by reducing the prices they place on their goods and services to reduce the hardship faced by the masses in the country.
Elugushi also announced that the return airlift of pilgrims to Nigeria would commence on June 13, 2025, and advised state officials to prioritize elderly pilgrims during return arrangements.
The visit included spiritual uplift through lectures and Quran recitation, with Alhaji Abdulhakeem Anofi and Alfa Oba Abdulkadir providing guidance and inspiration to the pilgrims.
In his remarks, the Amir-ul-Hajj/Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mr. Ibrahim Layode, said the special prayer was organized for the pilgrims to collectively appreciate Allah for His protection throughout the performance of the major Hajj rites in the Holy land.
While appreciating their cooperation with officials so far, he assured them that after completing the third stage of throwing pebbles at Jamarat on Sunday (12th Dhul-Hijjah), they would be moved to Makkah to perform Tawaful Ifadah and run the Sai (Safa and Marwa) in the Grand Mosque (Haram) and stay in their hotels preparatory to their final departure to Nigeria.
He, however, cautioned the pilgrims against carrying luggage above the approved kilos, emphasizing that each pilgrim is entitled to a 32kg and 8kg bag respectively, as he warned that anyone who carries more than the approved luggage might forfeit such or otherwise pay for excess cargo to private operators.
In his remark, the Majority Leader of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewunmi Kofoworola Babajide, appealed for increased government support to enable more Nigerians to perform Hajj through sponsorship initiatives.
The Chairman of the Osun State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Dr. Maruf Olawale Ishola, delivered a vote of thanks on behalf of the state.
The visit demonstrated NAHCON’s commitment to ensuring the welfare and success of Nigerian pilgrims during the Hajj pilgrimage.
The delegation’s engagement with pilgrims and state officials underscored the importance of collaboration and cooperation in facilitating a smooth and fulfilling spiritual experience.