- Says National Identity Card mandatory for intending Pilgrims
Lagos State government is set to refund thirty million naira to members of the Lagos State contingent who performed the 2017 Hajj.
Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs and the State Amirul - Hajj, Dr AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef disclosed this in Ikeja.
Dr AbdulLateef explained that the fund was meant for some services which were not rendered for Lagos contingent during last year's Hajj.
"We agitated for refund of money meant for some services that were not rendered and it was granted. We shall share this money among members of the contingent to 2017 Hajj except those who are owing us"
"Lagos will never shortchange Pilgrims for whatever reason, what we are refunding belongs to the Pilgrims and not a gift from the State government. In the past and in some states, the Amirul - Hajj diverts such funds for private use, but for me, nothing will follow any man to his grave except his good deeds. People should not be denied of what is due to them. Lagos will always strive to set good examples", he explained.
According to the Lagos State Amirul-Hajj, each of the Pilgrims that participated in the 2017 Hajj from Lagos State will receive a cheque of twelve thousand naira only through the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board in Ikeja beginning from tomorrow Monday 30th April, 2018.
However, he noted that pilgrims who had performed Hajj consecutively in the last five years and also took part in the 2017 Hajj will not be entitled to the refund.
He said, " Saudi Authority has increase Visa procurement fees with two hundred thousand naira for each Pilgrim who had visited the holy land for five years, either for Umrah or to perform Hajj respectively"
"Last year, we incurred additional fourteen million naira on this set of Pilgrims in our contingents. So, any of our Pilgrims during last year Hajj who falls in this category will not receive refund", he stressed.
Meanwhile, the Lagos Home Affairs Commissioner, Dr AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef has reminded intending Pilgrims for the 2018 Hajj exercise to obtain the National Identity Card to guarantee themselves a place among Lagos contingent.
He emphasized that Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board cannot process Hajj Visa for any intending Pilgrims without National Identity Card.
"Go and get your National Identity Card if you want to perform this year Hajj before it is too late. It is mandatory for all pilgrims. National Identity Card is a prerequisite for Hajj Visa issuance", he added.
Olalekan Murisiku
Media Assistant to Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs
29th April 2018
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