By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Lagos State intending pilgrims have been asked to complete paying their Hajj fees on or before April 15 to enable the state board commence early arrangements for their participation in the forthcoming 2019 Hajj exercise.
Secretary of the board, Mr Abdulrahman Ishola, made the appeal in Ikeja during a stakeholders’ meeting with appointed coordinators for the different local governments, stressing that the plea became necessary to ensure smooth operations this year.
He stated that early payments would facilitate standard accommodation, securing quality tents and other necessary needs in Saudi Arabia.
Mr Ishola observed that late payment had been the major cause of hitches experienced by pilgrims at the holy land during previous hajj operations.
He revealed that while waiting for further directives from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), the board has put facilities in place to capture biometrics of intending pilgrims.
He urged all intending pilgrims to be fully prepared for the usual weekend lectures designed to equip them with the basic Islamic knowledge and skills required to perform Hajj in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, the sales and submission of forms are ongoing at the board while intending pilgrims will undergo medical test at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).
