2023 HAJJ: PREPARATION IN TOP GEAR AS OGSMPWB CALLS FOR MORE COLLABORATION

By Toyin Olotuyemi, Abeokuta

The Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has assured the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), that the State is ready to perform a seamless hajj exercise as necessary machinery has been put in place for its intended pilgrims.

The Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Salau Dauda made this known while playing host to NAHCON, at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, saying the State would do everything within its power to make the 2023 holy pilgrimage to Mecca and Medinah a memorable one.

Dauda, who highlighted some of the giant strides embarked upon by the Board, said Ogun is known to be one of the best in hajj operations, noting that all the shortcomings encountered during the last exercise would be corrected.

He appreciated the team from the Commission for the visit, calling for proper coordination in the airlifting of pilgrims.

Responding, the leader of the team, who doubles as the Coordinator of Lagos Zone, Alhaji AbdulGafar Babatunde commended the Board for the level of its efforts at ensuring a hitch-free exercise, assuring of the Commission’s commitment to a greater improvement in its activities.

Babatunde urged the Board to step-up enlightenment on patience, tolerance, and perseverance among pilgrims before, during, and after the hajj exercise, to enable them to receive the rewards of hajj in its entirety.

In a related development, the Management of Jaiz Bank paid a courtesy visit to the Board, where the Executive Secretary, Alhaji Dauda Salau called for more synergy between the Board and the Bank, to enhance constant interaction and cooperation, so as to provide adequate service delivery to intending pilgrims through the Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS).

   

        He urged the Bank to look for other possible ways that would make registration of pilgrims on the scheme’s platform easier.

Reacting, the Regional Manager of Jaiz Bank, Mr. Taofeek Mustapha commended the Board for the warm reception and appreciated it for the advice, promising that the bank would ensure constant reconciliation with the Board for transparency and accountability.