The first batch of intending pilgrims from Ogun State have arrived Medina, Saudi Arabia.
They arrived at Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina, Saudi Arabia at exactly 12.45 am.
The intending pilgrims left the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at about 4p.m on Sunday.
The Amir Hajj, Alhaji Samsudeen Apelogun, the Consultant to the Governor on Islamic Affairs, Sheik Iskeel Lawal Sugar and the Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Ajibola Taiwo in their separate speeches appreciate the support of the state Governor for this year’s hajj.
Addressing the pilgrims before their departure, Apelogun urged them to conduct themselves with utmost discipline and integrity.
He noted that they were not only representatives of Ogun State but also ambassadors of Islam and Nigeria as a whole.
DAILY POST reports the Amirul Hajj had given financial succour to the state’s 675 intending pilgrims to enable them to meet the $500 requirement for their journey to the Holy Land.
Apelogun said he gave N3,375,000 to the intending pilgrims to ease their burdens following the increase in the dollar exchange rate, which significantly impacted the financial obligations of prospective pilgrims.
The Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Taiwo Ajibola, said the financial support was done personally by the Amirul Hajj and had in turn lightened the burden on the pilgrims.
