The Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi has urged the Intending Pilgrims for 2021 Hajj exercise to endeavor to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
About 4million doses of AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII), arrived the country last Tuesday.
Prince Elegushi gave the admonition during a special meeting he had with the league of Ulamahs of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board at the Shamsi Adisa Thomas (SAT) Mosque, Old Secretariat, Ikeja, Tuesday.
The Commissioner who doubles as the Asiwaju of Ikate Land, urged the Intending Pilgrims, Ulamahs and other stakeholders in the Hajj operations not to give room for discouragement from any quarters with respect to administration of the vaccine whenever the Federal Government begins to administer it. He added that only holders of the vaccine certificate would be allowed entry into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for 2021 Hajj exercise.
While speaking on airlifting and safety of Pilgrims to and from Saudi Arabia, the Commissioner told the meeting of the plans by the State Government through the Ministry and the Board towards ensuring that a reputable airline is engaged for the airlifting of the intending pilgrims within two to three days of operation, stressing that the old system when intending pilgrims stayed in the airport for weeks before being airlifted are gone for good.
He also emphasized that any airline that defaults on the airlifting agreement would be penalized accordingly.
Recalling the inability of the intending pilgrims to embark on Hajj in 2020, the Commissioner appreciated all the affected intending pilgrims for leaving their Hajj fare with the state government, saying that the Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu was greatly encouraged over the trust the pilgrims reposed in the state.
Elegushi who stated that Hajj was like a pillar that holds the entire universe together, promised the meeting that a befitting accommodation would be provided for pilgrims both in Makkah and Madinah as well as Muna. He sought the Ulamahs’ support for the state government in her quest towards giving the pilgrims the best of Hajj experience and medical treatment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
On his part, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic matters, Alh. Ahmed Abdullahi Jebe called for a harmonious and cordial relationship between the Ulamahs and schedule officers in their dealings with the intending pilgrims at the various Local Government Areas of the State.
He said their cooperation would further help the state in achieving much-needed success in the Hajj operation.
The Executive Secretary, Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mr. Rahman Ishola; Chairman, SAT Mosque, Ikeja, Mr. Murtala Bamgboshe and Chairman of Ulamahs, Alh. Muhsin Ajagbemokeferi amongst others graced the event.
