Lagos, Feb. 3, 2023 – The Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board will commence the sale of Hajj 2023 forms from Monday, Feb. 6, 2023.
It has also fixed initial deposit for 2023 hajj at N2.64 million.
Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi, the state Commissioner for Home Affairs, said this at a meeting with the intending pilgrims who could not perform the 2022 Hajj exercise due to limited slots allocated to the state by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON)
He urged the intending pilgrims, especially those who did not complete payment of the hajj fare of N2,64 million in 2022 to go ahead and raise a bank draft of N1,34 million in favour of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.
Elegushi said the board would notify them of any increase or reduction in the fare at the appreciate time.
He promised that the state would not renege on its earlier promise of treating them with utmost priority before selling forms to new applicants.
The commissioner advised them to hasten up to get a new form, free of charge, through their local government coordinators for proper documentation.
He also advised them to go and update their current information such as age, address and health status due to the limited time given by the Saudi Arabian authority during the pre-Hajj visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in preparation for this year’s Hajj operation.
The Commissioner sought their understanding in respect of any increment in the Hajj fare, saying the state was not in control of fixing the fare, but the prerogative of the Saudi Arabia Government and the exchange rate of US dollar which affects airline, accommodation and other necessary activities.
Elegushi expressed optimism that the state would be given enough slots to accommodate more intending pilgrims this year.
Shakiruthe Ayinde Gafar, the Board Chairman, commended the intending pilgrims for honouring the invitation in spite the short notice.
The meeting was attended by Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic matters, and Lolade Aina, the Permanent Secretary. (GBN)
