The Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency (PWA) said on Sunday in Sokoto that it had secured visa for 1,300 prospective pilgrims for the 2017 Hajj exercise.
Its Director-General, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of an induction course for prospective pilgrims from Sokoto North and Sokoto South Local Governments, State Government Officials and those who paid through the agency.
Umar said:”The national inaugural flight is expected to be conducted on July 30,2017.
”In Sokoto State, we are ready for the commencement of the transportation of our intending pilgrims on July, 31,2017.
”Consequently, with the 1,300 visas already in our custody, we have no fewer than three consecutive flights at hand.”
The director-general, who was represented by the Director of Da’awah Unit, Sheikh Yahuza Shehu, said that the agency had also concluded all necessary arrangement to ensure the successful conduct of hajj, both in Nigeria and in Saudi Arabia.
Umar warned the prospective pilgrims against carrying any banned items such as drugs, kolanuts, pepper, sharp objects, perfumes and other related materials.
The DG further warned them against collecting messages from unknown persons, to avoid being used to peddle drugs.
”If anyone is arrested in this direction, he or she will have the wrath of stringent Saudi Arabian laws, God forbid.
”The prospective pilgrims should respect the laws of Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, while they should steer clear of fraud deters while expending their Basic Travelling Allowances,”Umar added.
NAN reports that the highlight of the event was the practical conduct of the hajj rites, led by the Secretary of the Committee of Clerics, Dr Sani Sagir.
Sagir and all the clerics who spoke, as well as the Media Assistant to the agency, Alhaji
Farouk Umar, urged the prospective
pilgrims to learn more about the hajj rites, to ensure the performance of an acceptable hajj.(NAN)
BRM