The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on Tuesday conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the Nigerian pilgrims’ lodging and feeding arrangements in Madinah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The committee led by the Senate Chief Whip, Sen. Ali Ndume (APC-Borno South) visited many pilgrims’ abodes to see how they were being served food.
Briefing newsmen after the assessment tour, Ndume said the Senate decided to conduct the exercise out of concern over the alleged poor feeding of Nigerian pilgrims in the holy city.
According to him, social media has been awash with fake pictures of poor meals being served to Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi.
“And the Senate as an institution is concerned about the welfare and well-being of citizens decided to come and investigate the matter to ascertain the truth or falsity of the situation.”
Sen. Senator Sharafadeen Alli (APC-Oyo South) advised Nigerian pilgrims to be well-guided, follow instructions, and ensure they worshipped Allah wholeheartedly during the pilgrimage.
Alli also advised the pilgrims not to be distracted by earthly things during the pilgrimage.
“We thought that since we are here, it would be nice to visit the pilgrims.
“Secondly, there were rumours before we left home (Nigeria) about the situation of the pilgrims here.
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“So, it is right that we are here; it is better to come out and conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the situation. What we have seen so far is contrary to the things trumped up at home.
“About the welfare of the pilgrims: I think the pilgrims are well-taken care of, and as far as their feeding is concerned we have seen the food, it is basic and not below any standard.
“Then on the issue of the woman (a pilgrim from Kwara State) who was rumored to have committed suicide, I would say that from the video footage and information that we have here, it’s clear that she fell off the top of a building; it wasn’t a matter of suicide.
“It was an unfortunate incident and whatever Allah wills there is nothing a human being can do”
This is coming after the media in Nigeria reported at the weekend that a Nigerian pilgrim from the Kwara State contingent, Hajia Hawawu Mohammed, committed suicide having jumped from her rooftop in Madinah.
The sad incident was confirmed by the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abdulsalam Abdulkadir, on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Prof. Abubakar Yagawal, the Commissioner, Planning, Research, Statistics, Information, and Library Services, at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), said the commission’s team is working tirelessly to meet the needs of the pilgrims.
“We thank Allah that the team of Senators came here and witnessed what is happening and they are satisfied with whatever it has seen here.
“Of course, some rumours that they heard were against Nigerian pilgrims but to God be the glory they have seen it and they have cleared everything.” (NAN)
