Pilgrims participating in this year’s hajj exercise through Oyo State’s Pilgrim Welfare Board depart this weekend. In this interview with OYOINSIGHT.COM, the Board’s chair, Hashim Ateere speaks on the state of preparation and what pilgrims should expect.
What’s the state of preparation for this year’s hajj from Oyo State?
We thank Almighty Allah who made this preparation easy, everything is intact. We have secured good accommodation in Saudi Arabia for pilgrims. We have over 1000 pilgrims. We have very good accommodation in a very good area for them. We have distributed bags, luggage and uniforms for everyone. Medical screening has been done. Yellow card and all visas are ready and on the 10th of this month which is Saturday, we are going to Lagos with the first batch of our pilgrims because on the 10th is the airlifting for the first batch and second batch will be going to Lagos on Saturday, 11th which is the next day and from there to Medina. We have one thousand and eighty three pilgrims. Last year, we had one thousand seventy pilgrims
How much did the state charge this year?
Eight million seven hundred eighty-four thousand fifty-nine naira, fifty kobo (#8,784,59.50). Last year, we charged six million eight hundred and eighteen thousand naira.
What is the state government doing for pilgrims this year?
Engr. Oluseyi Makinde has sponsored the publishing of books (Hajj guide) to give to pilgrims for free. It combines both Yoruba and English which will help pilgrims know how to perform hajj.
Secondly, Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde made the signing of our files, like budget, easy, and this contributed to our preparation being timely. We have ID cards provided for them by the state government and we also have a box provided for them to carry their ID card, visa among other necessities. Similarly, under the sponsorship of the state government, there will be a package for pilgrims from the state government on the day of arafat.
Is the state exempting some people?
Yes, we did medical screening for pilgrims and anyone with pregnancy will be banned
In terms of quality, hospitality and welfare for pilgrims, what should they expect?
They should be expecting positive welfare and we have two nurses and one doctor with us and they’ve prepared some drugs in case anybody needs medical attention. We also have some scholars that are going with us to guide our pilgrims in their umrah and hajj in both makkah and medina.
Our accommodation is also very close to haram. Oyo state is one of the states that got accommodation in a close area to haram, and the hotel is very big, and the pictures of the accommodation have been sent to the pilgrims through our platform and all of them are happy with it.
We have covered all grounds. In fact, in terms of feeding, we have local menu like amala because we have caterer in Saudi Arabia. So, I want to assure you that our pilgrims will be happy when they get there. Insha Allah.
