By Richard Thomas
The Chairman, Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing), Sheikh AbdulWahab Hashim Atere
has charged intending pilgrims in the 2024 Hajj prilgrimage to use the occasion of the exercise to intercede for the survival of the ailing nation, urging them to ensure they comply with necessary procedures of the exercise before closure of the payment.
Sheik Atere gave the charge in an interview with Oodua News in Ibadan while speaking on the activities of the 2024 Hajj programme, adding that necessary measures have been put in place to ensure success of the spiritual exercise.
“Necessary arrangements and measures are already on in Saudi to ensure a fulfilled and successful Hajj pilgrimage for all intending pilgrims. Measures like good accomodation, quality feeding and health facilities have been provided for them.
“We have paid visit to center of their accomodation, the kitchen and others in Saudi to ensure the Pilgrims have good and memorable spiritual exercise this time. Also, quality steps have been taken on the airlines conveying them to ensure that they have smooth journey. I have spoken with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on the successful arrangements of the 2024 hajj prilgrimage.”
Although, he hinted that the Inaugural flight for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage exercise may commence on 9th of May, 2024, from any part of the country,
Sheik Atere who commended the quality contributions of his predecessors in the Hajj board said the 2024 exercise is poised to build upon the success and move the it forward.
According to him, the board under his watch has put up a platform for easy access to information for intending prilgrimage adding that there will be lectures every Friday to teach and educate them on the significance of the Hajj.
“All the zones in the state are adequately represented in the course of the preparation. There is also going to be sacrifice of rams of each member, the exercise is part of the ritual exercise of the Hajj programme.
“Also, plans are on going for easy access of the intending pilgrims to their rooms. Parts of new development in the 2024 Hajj is the sacrifice of the animal they purchased for the Hajj exercise.
Sheik Atere who admonished Muslims to endeavor to observe Hajj prilgrimage owing to its spiritual and physical benefits urged members of the 2024 prilgrimage to use the occasion of the Hajj to pray for the nation and their families, saying prayers offered at the Holy land of Mecca are always very effective.
He affirmed again that intending pilgrims from the State for 2024 Hajj exercise are to pay the sum of Four Million, eight hundred and ninety nine thousand Naira (₦4m.899.000) only for this year final Hajj fare.
The Chairman stated that all intending pilgrims who had paid the deposit of ₦4.5M or below as earlier announced by the Board are now to complete it to the sum of Four Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety Nine Thousand Naira (₦4, 899.000) fixed for the deadline of February.
He recalled that National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has declared that intending pilgrims from Nigeria’s Southern center are to pay N4,899,000 as final Hajj fare; those from the Northern center will pay N4,699,000 and pilgrims from Yola and Maiduguri center will pay a fee of N4,679,000 for the 2024 Hajj and given February 12 as deadline.
Atere urged anyone who still has an interest in making the spiritual journey with the Board to seize the limited opportunity by making the payment of the final fare announced before the deadline lasts.
He noted that intending pilgrims could make their payments through any of the designated bank accounts of the board.
The Board Chairman while appreciating governor Seyi Makinde for his support for the Board and the 2024 Hajj exercise described him as a visionary leader whose leadership since 2019 has blessed the state.
“We appreciate the Executive Governor of the State, Engr. Seyi Makinde for his unflinching support towards the Hajj Board since the first day I was appointed as the Chairman of the Board.
We really thank governor Oluseyi Makinde for the renovation of the Hajj Camp in Olodo, we appreciate his support especially his prompt attention to the welfare of the board.”
Shileik Atere then assured the governor of quality commitment to the advancement of the Hall board in the state.
