Ayoni M. Agbabiaka
Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, has called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to consider increasing the annual seats allocation to FCT during the 2015 Hajj exercise.
She urged stakeholders and other officials in the 2014 Hajj operations to ensure adequate vigilance and enlightenment at all camps and offices, in order to attain a successful 2014 Hajj, adding that “security should be beefed-up and adequate measures employed at all camps, venues and offices used for Hajj preparation.”
The Minister of State, who was represented by the Chief Imam, Abuja National Mosque and Chairman, FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (MPWB), Ustaz Musa Mohammed, made the call during the annual zonal workshop on Pilgrims’ Education and Orientation at the weekend at the FCT Permanent Hajj Camp, Basan Jiwa, Abuja.
She also urged stakeholders to intensify prayers at all available gathering for peace to reign once again in the country.
According to her; “the present security challenge bedeviling our nation calls for vigilance and collective approach”
She said the outcome of the workshop would play a critical role in the successful outcome of this year’s hajj and beyond.
In a paper presented by Director- General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, who was represented by Malam Balarabe Gambo, urged intending pilgrims to do the right thing and be good ambassadors of Nigeria in the Holy land.
He said: “All pilgrims are Nigeria’s ambassadors and as such, must shun all acts capable of portraying the country in bad light. Pilgrims must therefore focus on the spiritual essence of this important aspect of their faith and perform Hajj as prescribed by the tenets of Islam.”
In her welcome address, Director, FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (MPWB), Hajiya Fatima Gummi, said the workshop would positively impact on the intending pilgrims’ moral and spiritual alertness towards achieving a hitch-free 2014 Hajj.
She said: “This forum is a veritable avenue for sharing ideas among the stakeholders as each state might have its peculiar challenge due to varied socio-cultural and infrastructural disposition. The outcome of this workshop therefore, is expected to provide a blue-print on how to address those challenges towards a holistic transformation of the Hajj industry.”
The Board, the director said, had already conducted its first phase of the education and orientation exercise at the six area councils, adding that two more rounds would be conducted before the commencement of airlift.