Constitutes working Committee, LGA coordinators

By Taofeek Lawal
(Asst. Director)

The Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has commenced the process of vaccinating its intending pilgrims against polio, meningitis and yellow fever ahead of the 2025 Hajj exercise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The vaccination which started on Wednesday, April 16 (day one) at the Shamsi Adisa Thomas (SAT) Mosque Hall, GRA, Ikeja, has intending pilgrims from Agege, Amuwo Odofin, Badagry and Mushin Local Government Areas being attended to.

According to the roster of the exercise, intending pilgrims from other local government areas would be attended to as scheduled. On day two (Thursday, April 17) intending pilgrims from Ajeromi Ifelodun, Eti-Osa, Kosofe and Oshodi Isolo would be vaccinated while Alimosho, Epe, Ifako Ijaiye and Lagos Mainland would have theirs on Tuesday, April 22.

Apapa, Surulere, Ikeja and Lagos Island would be attended to on day four, Wednesday, April 23 while on day five, Thursday April 24, Shomolu, Ojo, Ikorodu and JAIZ Bank, NIA and Royal intending pilgrims would be vaccinated. The last day, Monday April 28, it would be the turn of government officials and outstanding/left over pilgrims.

The Board Secretary, Mr. AbdulHakeem Ajomagberin said that the vaccination exercise was in fulfillment of the requirements for international travels. He therefore urged the intending pilgrims to make themselves available on the date appointed for their respective local governments.

He added that officials of the Port Health Service (Federal Ministry of Health) would provide them with the yellow card after the vaccination.

Meanwhile, the State Government has constituted a 13-man central working committee to oversee and ensure the success of the 2025 Holy pilgrimage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

According to a statement signed by the Public Affairs Officer, Taofeek Lawal, the Board Secretary said that the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters, Dr. Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe has been appointed as the Chairman of the committee. He also added that 21 Schedule Officers (Coordinators) have been appointed for the Local Government Areas of the state.

He emphasized that while the committee would be responsible for the Hajj operation both in Nigeria and the Holy Land, by ensuring that everything necessary is put in place for the pilgrims to perform the Hajj rites both in Makkah and Madinah seamlessly,
the coordinators would work closely with the committee to ensure that the needs of the pilgrims are met and their journey made as comfortable as possible.

Ajomagberin who was recently appointed as the Board Secretary, explained that each member of committee would chair the sub-committees constituted for the success of the pilgrimage exercise.

According to him the sub-committees and their chairmanship includes, Imam (Engr.) Shakiru Ayinde Gafar (Muna, Madinah and Arafah); Prof. Kabir Paramole (Dawah & Sensitization); Dr. (Mrs.) Faosat Dabiri (Medical); Alh. Yusuf Ara (Bags and Luggages); Alh. Mojeed Sanni (Transportation); Hon. Waheed Lolade Shonibare (Airlifting and Manifest) and Hon. Mayegun Musiliudeen (Accommodation).

Others are; Alh. Agoro Ibrahim (Security); Issa Akeredolu (Media and Publicity); Imam Nurain AbdulAzeez (Tribunal); Alhaja Oluwakemi Okunola and Alhaja Idayat Elegbede (Special duties) and Board Secretary (Passport and Visa).

He listed the appointed Local Government Coordinators as Anileleye Maimuna (Kosofe); Ige Kolawole (Agege); Adele-Sanyaolu Mariam (Amuwo-Odofin); Saidat Alogba- Kalejaye (Ikorodu); Musa Lawal (Eti-Osa); Ajarat Sanusi-Alaka (Alimosho); Khadijat Oluwa-Adegbola (Surulere); Fatimah Jaji (JAIZ Bank, NIA and Royal); Ahmed Rukayat (Lagos Mainland); Muhammed Abiola (Ikeja); Hassan Ismaila (Ojo) and Suraj Akinyemi (Apapa).

Others are Lawal Abdullahi (Epe); Abubakar Aliyu (Oshodi Isolo); Abubakar Lawal (Lagos Island); Bisiriyu Lookman (Ajeromi Ifelodun); AbdulSalam Silifat ((Mushin); Gafar Mujib (Badagry); Taiwo Anibaba (Shomolu); Bello Rashidat (Ifako Ijaye) while Murtador Saudat will coordinate the Government officials.

Ajomagberin said that the committees and LGA coordinators are expected to work collectively as a team with other stakeholders to address every aspect of the pilgrimage exercise with a view to ensuring a smooth, convenient and remarkable experience for the pilgrims.