The first batch of 423 Lagos pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj have arrived in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, to commence their religious rites.
Another set of 423 pilgrims, who would form the second batch from the over 1,800 Lagosians expected to participate in the religious rites have been airlifted to the holy land.
This was disclosed on Saturday by the Head, Lagos Pilgrims Welfare Board Public Affairs unit, Taofeek Lawal.
Before the airlifting, the Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Ahmad Arabi, who was in Lagos State to bid the first batch of the Y2024 intending pilgrims from the state farewell, described Hajj as a rear opportunity.
Arabi, who was accompanied to the Lagos airport by the National Commissioner, Operations, Inspectorate and Licenses, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi and other officials, added that many wished to participate but couldn’t due to different circumstances.
He said, “for you to be called to perform Hajj, you must be extra ordinarily lucky, but it is a rear opportunity. Allah has given you the opportunity. It may be your last opportunity, to some it may be the beginning. So what do you do when you have the last opportunity? it is to utilize it so well”.
The NAHCON boss further appealed to them to make the country proud by abiding by the rules and regulations of the foreign country. He said, “do the dos and don’t do the don’ts. If you stay on that part, you have no cause to worry”.
He reminded them that they were going for a religious obligations and must therefore be patience in all circumstances. He appealed to them not to fight or quarrelbe with the officials, saying when there are issues, such must be settled amicably without rancour because we are all human. He admonished them to be good ambassadors and shinning examples for others to emulate.
While wishing them journey mercy, he encouraged them to pray for the country and its leaders, especially the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu whose intervention made the 2024 Hajj exercise possible for Nigerians.
On his part, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ibrahim Layode, expressed his appreciation on behalf of the intending pilgrims for the Chairman’s show of love and his admonitions.
He thereafter promised the NAHCON Chairman and his entourage that the state’s pilgrims would not disappoint the country but exhibit exemplary conduct and behaviours whilst in the Holy land.
