Sanwo-Olu Charges Lagos Pilgrims on Discipline, Safety as Hajj Seminar Holds in Ikeja
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has charged pilgrims from the state embarking on this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia to be good ambassadors of Lagos State and Nigeria at large.
He also warned them against any acts that violate the laws of Saudi Arabia and the regulations governing the Hajj exercise.
The Governor gave the warning in a message delivered at a one-day seminar organised for intending pilgrims by the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board in Ikeja.
Represented by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ibrahim Layode, the Governor urged the pilgrims to pray for continued economic prosperity and peaceful coexistence in the state and the country.
Sanwo-Olu said Lagos State is fully committed to ensuring their safety, comfort, and spiritual upliftment during the exercise, while appealing to them to prioritise their health due to the severe weather conditions in the Holy Land.
He expressed hope that the state would not record any casualties during the spiritual exercise, stressing the need for pilgrims to safeguard their travel documents.
The guest speaker at the seminar, the Chief Missioner of Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Igbogbo Branch, Alhaji Luqman Abdulrasaq AbdulMubarak, advised the pilgrims to focus strictly on the essence of the spiritual exercise and avoid social distractions upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.
He also appealed to the Federal Government to liaise with the Saudi authorities to create more opportunities for Nigerians to perform the spiritual exercise.
The Chief Imam, who spoke on the significance of Hajj in the life of a Muslim, noted that Hajj is not for tourism and warned that any pilgrim who violates the rules governing the exercise will face consequences.
According to him, the essence of Hajj is for the faithful to embark on a spiritual journey that connects them with the historical roots of the religion and deepens their connection with Allah.
In his welcome address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters, Dr. Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe, said the forum was designed to enlighten pilgrims on their conduct and the rules guiding the exercise.
Jebe, who is also the Chairman of the 2026 Hajj Ad-hoc Committee, presented members of the committee saddled with various responsibilities, including transportation, medical services, security, and accommodation.
The Head of Medical Services for Lagos pilgrims, Dr. Mossida Erinosho, urged pilgrims to freely disclose all health challenges to the medical team.
She emphasised the need to avoid self-medication and unnecessary exposure to the sun due to the hot weather in Saudi Arabia, while also encouraging adequate water intake.
The Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, Bubah Isa, urged the pilgrims to be good ambassadors of Islam in the Holy Land and to keep their passports safe.
He also reminded them to ensure that their passports are properly endorsed at the points of departure and arrival, and to keep them away from water and damage.
Representing the NDLEA, Mallam Ahmed Yusuf warned pilgrims against carrying luggage for others or engaging in any drug-related activities.
Hajj, the last of the five pillars of Islam, is prescribed by Allah for Muslims who are financially and physically capable of undertaking the journey.
