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Hajj 2022: 4th Batch of Lagos pilgrims arrives from Saudi Arabia
By dayo badmus,
About 345 Lagos State participants in the just concluded Y2022 Hajj exercise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia returned home earlier today.
Speaking with the press on arrival, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic matters, Alhaji Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe, expressed his gratitude to Allah for preserving the lives of every pilgrim and granting them the wherewithal to actively perform all the essential rites of the spiritual exercise.
Commending the pilgrims for the tolerance, understanding and cooperation extended to government officials during the exercise, Alhaji Jebe also appreciated Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, for their support in making the journey a reality.
On his part, the Chairman, Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (LSMPWB), Engr. (Imam) Shakiru Ayinde Gafar, envisaged that the Saudi Arabian authority would lift all the restrictions placed on this Hajj exercise in future pilgrimages.
Gafar stated that the Board anticipates a larger turnout of pilgrims in next year’s exercise and gave an assurance that the State would provide befitting accommodation for all those who subscribe to visit the holy land.
Some of the pilgrims also expressed their gratitude to Allah, the State Government and its officials for providing an enabling environment and comfort throughout their stay in the Kingdom.
The arrival of the fourth batch of 345 has, thus, increased the number of the State’s pilgrims brought back home to 1,617 while the few remaining pilgrims, who are mostly officials of the State Government, are expected back in the country soon.
Other Board members on the flight include Alhaji Mojeed Sanni (Ikorodu Division); Alhaji Yusuf Ara (Epe Division) and Alhaji AbdulWaheed Lolade Shonibare (Ikeja Division) as well as some sub-committee members.
