Sanwo-Olu bridges the gap in BTA shortfalls for Lagos pilgrims, as last batch arrives Madinah
Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has further extended his olive branch to the Y2024 Hajj pilgrims by paying the $100 shortfall in their Basic Travel Allowance (BTA).
Hon. Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode made the disclosure on Saturday while addressing the fifth and last batch of the pilgrims before their departure from Lagos.
The Flynas airline which conveyed the pilgrims departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos at 2.12am (Nigerian time) touched down safely at the King AbdulAziz International Airport, Madinah, Saudi Arabia at 10.50am (Saudi Arabian time) today, Sunday, May 26, 2024 after about seven hours journey.
Recall that $500 was initially announced as BTA for each of the pilgrims. The money was later reduced to $400 by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) due to the instability in forex exchange rate, after some pilgrims, especially those on the second flight had already collected it in full.
The announcement of the deduction which was made during the third flight was visited with outright rejection by the pilgrims who described it as unfair and unacceptable, but the Hon. Commissioner was able to douse the tension by appealing for patience and promised to consult with Governor Sanwo-Olu for his intervention.
Hon. Layode who is also the Amir-ul-Hajj, told the pilgrims that immediately the attention of Mr. Governor was drawn to the development, he, in his kind heartedness and magnanimity approved the payment of the $100 shortfall for each of the 1, 868 pilgrims, pending the resolution of the matter by both NAHCON and CBN.
He also reiterated that Governor Sanwo-Olu, being a promise keeper, would keep his promises by paying the cost of the Hadaya (sacrificial) ram, ziyyarah (visitation) to historical sites in both Madinah and Makkah as well as monetize the Ihram clothes for each of them. He urged them not pay anybody for the aforementioned items.
While assuring them that the pilgrims on the first flight who are yet to collect their BTA would get theirs in the holy Land, he appealed to them to be good ambassador of the state by exhibiting exemplary conducts and behaviours. He also urged them to endeavour to pray for Governor Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat’s administration in the state and President Bola Ahmed Tinunu for peace, progress and tranquility in the country.
The pilgrims who could not hide their joy and enthusiasm about the Governor’s kind gestures, were singing, dancing and praising God for His timely intervention. One of the pilgrims who craved anonymity, said “’We are extremely happy and appreciate Mr. Governor for coming to our aids. We thank him so much. May Allah in His infinite mercy continue to bless him and his deputy and crown their efforts with success”.
Prior to the departure of the fifth batch, the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board commemced its airlifting exercise on Friday, May 17 with 425 pilgrims. This was immediately followed by the second batch of another 425 pilgrims on Saturday, May 18.
The third batch of 428 pilgrims was airlifted on Thursday, May 22. This was also followed by the fourth flight of 312 pilgrims on Friday, May 24 while the fifth and final batch of 256 pilgrims departed Nigeria on Sunday, May 26, 2024 bringing the total pilgrims airlifted by the state to 1,846.
Among other government functionaries aboard the Flynas airline XY8060 are the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters, Dr. Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe; Board Chairman, Imam (Engr.) Shakiru Ayinde Gafar and Prof. Kabir Paramole, Board member representing Badagry division of the state.
Taofeek Lawal
Asst. Director
(Public Affairs)
