The Kwara State Pilgrims Welfare Board has said that 3,740 pilgrims will perform the 2023 Hajj from the state.
The executive secretary of the board, Alhaji Abdulsalam Abdulkadir, stated this on Saturday during the enlightenment and special prayer programme organised for all intending pilgrims held in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.
A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the state Pilgrims Welfare Board, Jimoh Falilat, said the programme was the maiden enlightenment exercise as part of the preparations for the 2023 Hajj exercise.
She said the prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Alhaji Bashir Solihu, supported by Imam Imale, while the lecture was delivered by the Grand Khadi of the State Sharia Court of Appeal, Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen.
The secretary explained that funds for the intending pilgrims had been remitted to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.
Abdulkadir said the board accommodated over 200 outstanding intending pilgrims from last year’s exercise.
He said NAHCON had scheduled May 21 for the inaugural flight but that Kwara’s schedule for the airlifting of the pilgrims was yet to be released.
Abdulkadir explained that vaccination in the state would commence next week, as he commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his support for the board to perform its duties without any hindrance.
The chairman of the board, Dr Abdulkadir Sambaki, also said, “I want to enjoin you to comply with do’s and don’ts of the exercise. You should abide by the law of Nigeria and Saudi Arabian authorities because there is no room for disobedience for all intending pilgrims.”
