The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, has said about 14,160 Nigerians, have so far arrived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform this year’s Hajj. According to situation reports from agency’s platform, ‘NAHCON’s Command and Control Centre’on Hajj 2018 update’ statistics yesterday, the pilgrims were flown into the Holy land in 35 flights from various states in either Medview, Flynas and Max-Air airlines.
The agency also disclosed that Medview Flight VL 3168 departed Lagos yesterday with 320 pilgrims from the state, made up of 159 males and 161 females Every pilgrim is expected to spend eight days in Madina before proceeding to Mecca. Meanwhile, NAHCON has assured that orientation of pilgrims won’t stop throughout the period of Hajj.
The agency’s Head of Civic Education, Umar Bala, gave the assurance in an interview with newsmen after attending orientation sessions organised for pilgrims from Kwara, Kaduna and Kebbi states in their respective accommodations in Madina on Saturday night.
Bala also cautioned them against fraudsters posing as Umar warned the pilgrims to be wary of scammers, saying many could besiege them under the guise of providing forex, fixing golden teeth, or transporting them to places of visitation. While advising them to only patronise government-approved outlets for forex, he urged them to consult officials “for anything you want to do”. He said: “You can see some strangers around your hotels canvassing for one thing or the other outside there. NAHCON does not recognize them, so stay away from them. “Please be careful in dealing with unauthorised persons who present themselves as money changers; report such people to your officials; you must always get assistance of officials in changing money and other transactions.”
He further said NAHCON, in collaboration with state pilgrims agencies, had secured befitting accommodation and food for pilgrims, advising them to avoid buying food from unauthorised persons. “You owe it a duty to pray for your families, country and its leadership so that our economy can grow and there shall be peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, ” he added. The visit to the pilgrims was in continuation of the commission’s enlightenment programme which began in Nigeria ahead of the pilgrimage. Bala said the orientations were designed by NAHCON in collaboration with state pilgrims’ boards in order for the pilgrims to understand Hajj rites and also carry them out in utmost comfort. According to him,
“The intention (of the orientation) is for all our intending pilgrims to achieve Hajj Mabrur. You cannot achieve it without knowing what you are doing. So, our pilgrims need to be aware of the dos and don’ts of Hajj, that is why we go round pilgrims’ accommodations to sensitise them. It started right from Nigeria and won’t stop until after Muna outing.”
