The Hon. Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi has formally inaugurated the sub-committees for the 2022 Hajj operation both in Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Addressing members of the sub-committees Friay at the conference room of the Deputy Governor’s office, Alausa, Ikeja, the Hon. Commissioner told the members to see their appointment as a call to render selfless service to the Government and the good people of the State, especially the intending pilgrims.
Elegushi who recalled the inability of international intending pilgrims to perform the spiritual exercise since 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic, expressed gratitude to Allah that the Government of Saudi Arabia has finally opened her doors for the exercise this year.
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He added that since the doors of the Kingdom have been opened, the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and other stakeholders have intensified efforts towards ensuring a successful operation for the intending pilgrims, despite the short period available to put things in order.
The sub-committees comprising of a Chairman and two members include; Transport, Welfare, Medical, Dawah and Enlightenment, Madinah, Muna and Arafah, Passport and Visa process.
Others are Security and Luggage, Media and Publicity, Accommodation, Manifest and Airlifting, Judiciary and Special duties.
He therefore urged them to cooperate fully with the members of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and other stakeholders towards ensuring that the much expected success is achieved with the exercise.
While expressing his appreciation to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat for their unflinching support to the intending pilgrims, Elegushi noted that their support towards ensuring maximum comfort for the intending pilgrims has been wonderful and awesome.
The Chairman of the Judiciary sub-committee, Hon. Justice Lateefat Folami administered the oath of office on all the sub-committees’ members present.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. Whenu Sewedo Oluseyi, urged them not to betray the trust and confidence reposed in them by the Government.
He prayed God to assist them in achieving the expected success in the onerous task.
While presenting his goodwill message, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic matters, Alh. Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe urged them to be dedicated, determined and focus on the assignment, stressing that their performance would be a determinant factor for future opportunities.
He urged them to note that their activities would be coordinated by the Board Chairman and Secretary who will also relate with the Hon. Commissioner in ensuring success with their assignment.
Also in his goodwill message, the Board Chairman, Engr. Shakir Ayinde Gafar told the members to exercise patience and be cautious in dealing with the intending pilgrims, saying that as the guest of Allah in the Holy land, the intending pilgrims deserves every courtesies and comfort. He added that whatever goodness they provide for the intending pilgrims would be rewarded by Allah in many folds.
Responding on behalf of the sub-committees’, the Chairman Security and Luggage, Hon. Wale Adeniji expressed members’ appreciation to the Governor and his deputy for finding them worthy of the appointment. He promised that members would work assiduously to achieve success and would not disappoint Sanwo-Olu’s administration in carrying out the assignment.
