Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called on intending pilgrims to the year 2023 Hajj in Saudi Arabia to be good ambassadors of the state and pray for the economic revival of Nigeria. He also urged them to pray against insecurity in Osun State, where he noted that concerted prayers and efforts of every Nigerian are required to confront economic hardship and insecurity in the country.
The Governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, made this call during the farewell programme organised for the 1,835 intending pilgrims at the State Secretariat Mosque Complex in Abere. Adeleke commended the management of the Osun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board for facilitating the arrangements for the operation so far.
In his address, the Amirul-Hajj of Osun State, Sheik Morufu Ishola, thanked the Governor for the support given to the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board. He urged all pilgrims to be law-abiding and abide by the instructions given to them while in the Holy Land.
Adeleke warned the pilgrims that the state government would not tolerate any lapses during the Hajj operation. He expressed his gratitude to Allah for allowing the record to be set under his administration and counting the intending pilgrims worthy of partaking in the year’s Hajj operation despite the significant rise in its cost.
The Governor recounted the preparations for the pilgrimage and assured the intending pilgrims that all necessary vaccinations had been administered and arrangements made for their smooth transportation to the Hajj Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja. Adequate preparations had also been made towards ensuring that the pilgrims were served with quality meals throughout their stay in Makkah, he said.
He congratulated the intending pilgrims for making the journey and prayed that all of them would return home safe and sound to their families.
