Oyo state Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has urged Intending pilgrims to use the opportunity of their pilgrimage to Mecca to pray for an end to several security challenges facing the nation.
He said this while bidding farewell to the state Intending pilgrims at Hajj camp, Olodo Ibadan.
Governor Makinde who was represented by the chairman, Oyo state Housing Corporation, Barrister Bayo Lawal, also called for prayers against chaos in Oyo state especially ahead of the 2023 general election.
He said the nation needed prayers to deal with the unending incidences of kidnapping, killings and other forms of criminalities in Nigeria.
Governor Makinde who urged the intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state by shunning hard drugs and adhere to the rules of Saudi Arabia added that his administration remained committed to welfare of muslims.
Earlier, Chairman, Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslims wing), Professor Sayed Malik expressed joy that intending pilgrims were once again being airlifted after COVID-19 two years break to Hajj operations.
He urged the intending pilgrims to consider themselves privileged and blessed by Allah to be among the few number approved by the Hajj authorities.
Professor Malik, however enjoined the state government to consider a facelift of the Hajj camp especially completion of the administrative building at the camp that has been abandoned since 2015.
Present at the event were Aare Musulumi for Yoruba land, Edo and Delta, Alhaji Daud Makanjuola; former Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; Alhaja Bose Adedibu; state Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Professor Musbau Babatunde and Justice Moshood Abass.
The first batch of Oyo state intending pilgrims are expected to leave Nigeria on Thursday, June 16th, 2022 to the kingdom of the Saudi Arabia.
Iyabo Adebisi
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