…calls for Continuous Cooperation

The Chairman, Oyo State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, Sheikh Wahab Atere Hashim Olamide, JP, has sought continuous support from the 2026 Hajj-intending pilgrims from the state, assuring that concerted efforts would be made to ensure that they perform all important aspects of Hajj as stated in the Holy Quran and the sunnah of the holy Prophet Muhammad SAW.

Sheikh Atere said this during the distribution of 2026 Hajj uniforms to the intending pilgrims and the third phase of the Education and Orientation Exercise held on Wednesday and Thursday across the state .

He explained that the era of experiencing unnecessary stress and delayed flights by the intending pilgrims no longer exists in the Oyo State Hajj industry, noting that there would be little or no gap between each batch to be airlifted to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia this year.

He attributed the development and progress in the state’s Hajj industry to the unalloyed support accorded the Board by the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration. He assured that the Board would not rest on its oars but build on the success recorded so far.

He admonished the intending pilgrims to embark on the spiritual journey with a positive mindset and endeavour to put on their uniforms, caps, and hijabs during the pilgrimage for easy identification.

He warned the intending pilgrims to be modest while performing the spiritual obligations and not to take instructions from anyone apart from their group leaders to prevent unforeseen circumstances.

The education and orientation exercise , held concurrently across the designated centers in Oyo, Iseyin and Saki featured lectures delivered by scholars, second pregnancy tests, special prayers, and many more.

The leadership of the Oyo State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board has reinstated its  commitment to providing services and guidelines that would enable the 2026 Hajj-intending pilgrims from the State to perform the spiritual obligation with ease.

Chairman of the Board, Shiekh Wahab Atere Hashim Olamide JP, stated this at the second phase of the orientation programme, organized by the Board for the intending pilgrims across the State.

The orientation programme held  simultaneously on Wednesday and Thursday  at the designated centers in  Ibadan,  Saki, Iseyin and Oyo zones was part of the efforts of the Board to ensure that the intending pilgrims clearly understand how to perform an acceptable Hajj.

Speaking further, Sheikh Atere harped on the need for the intending pilgrims to embark on the spiritual journey with renewed faith and also abide by the instructions of their group leaders while in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Enumerating various programmes lined up by the Board, Sheikh Atere revealed that the uniform for this year’s Hajj will be distributed next week, urging them  to take good care of their health as the journey gets closer.

Speaking through the Secretary of the Board,  Mr. Kamorudeen Babatunde Fasasi, in Oyo and Saki zones, Sheikh Atere, described the Hajj pilgrimage as one that requires perseverance.

He warned against misplacement of vital documents such as the travelling passport, visa, Yellow Card, State Identity Card and NUSUK Card, which will be given to them in Saudi Arabia.

He assured that there would be no communication gap between the Board and the intending pilgrims for the successful 2026 Hajj operation.

In his remarks,  Hon. Justice Tajudeen Abdul-ganiyu,  admonished the intending pilgrims to stay clear of unlawful activities and goods such as bitter kola, kolanut, cocaine and other prohibited drugs.

He described Islam as a  religion that preaches obedience to laws; hence, the need for the intending pilgrims to respect and adhere strictly to the laws of the government of Saudi Arabia, NAHCON and Oyo State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board .

Other speakers  at various centers advised  the intending pilgrims to pay attention  to all aspects of the Hajj  and perform such as expected.

The Upgrading Committee of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola International Airport, Ibadan, has intensified efforts to ensure that the airlift of 2026 Hajj-intending pilgrims from Oyo State take off from the airport, in line with the vision of the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration.

Speaking during a visit to the leadership of the Oyo State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board and an inspection of facilities at the Hajj Camp, Olodo, Ibadan, on Tuesday, the Committee Chairman, Hon. Abimbola Adekanmbi, said the inspection was necessary to identify areas requiring urgent attention.

He emphasized the need to put in place essential facilities at both the Hajj Camp and the airport ahead of the visit by the assessment team from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other regulatory agencies, noting that this would facilitate prompt approval.

Hon. Adekanmbi also pledged to personally support the renovation of critical facilities pending the Governor’s approval and the release of funds.

He called for synergy among all relevant stakeholders to ensure the realization of the plan for 2026 Hajj intending pilgrims to depart from the Alakia Airport.

The Chairman further urged the Board to submit its proposal promptly to enable the renovation work to commence without delay.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Oyo State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, Sheikh Wahab Atere Hashim Olamide, JP acknowledged the efforts of Governor Seyi Makinde and the committee on the ongoing airport upgrade, saying that the pace of work at the airport is quite commendable.

Sheikh Atere revealed that the Board has made significant progress, which he attributed to continued support received from the Governor.

Highlighting the achievements of the Board and its challenges, Sheikh Atere appreciated Hon. Adekanmbi for the gesture extended to the Board.