Report says intending pilgrims to Hajj from Ondo and Ekiti states are still stranded at Ilorin Hajj camp due to delay in the issuance of Visa by the Federal Government’s agencies.
The pilgrims and other stakeholders have therefore called on the Governors of the two, Rotimi Akeredolu and Kayode Fayemi to intervene urgently.
SUNSHINETRUTH learnt that this is even as the Federal Government has been urged to facilitate the issuance of visa for intending pilgrims in Nigeria to curb the challenges being faced at the Ilorin Hajj Camp before their departure.
A member of the Hajj Commission, Alhaji Abdulrahman Imam made the appeal in an interview with journalists at the Ilorin Hajj Camp, Kwara State on wednesday (yesterday).
Imam said the federal government should please look into the plights of the people, saying pilgrims’ intention for Hajj operation should be looked into.
He said intending pilgrims should be able to perform their Hajj operation hitch-free because they desire to perform the holy pilgrimage in the service of Allah.
“They do not have families here and they have been here for the past eight days. There is nothing that government cannot do to assist them.
He stated that the intending pilgrims from Ondo should not blame the Ilorin Hajj commission, explaining that the delay was due to visa issue which is affecting all states.
His words: “Every state is doing its operation, but are only joined through the zone to be airlifted from the Ilorin International airport.
“If they finish their operation, they will come to Ilorin to be airlifted. Ilorin has nothing to do with their delay.”, he explained.
He called on the Ekiti and Ondo state governments to come to the assistance of intending pilgrims at the Ilorin Hajj camp to ameliorate their challenges.
Responding, the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria, FOMWAN, Ondo state charter, led by Alhaja Medinat Omikunle, appealed to the intending pilgrims to be patient and that they shall soon be airlifted.
She said the team were at the camp to sensitize the pilgrims on the Hajj rites at the holy pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
The almost frustrated intending pilgrims from Ondo State, expressed their disappointment over the delay they are encountering.
Some pilgrims who spoke with journalists, lamented their ordeal, saying that they have exhausted their money and have being starving for days now.
When contacted on telephone, the Ondo state Chairman of the Muslim Welfare Board, Alhaji Dhikrullah Adams Chandy said he is in Abuja to facilitate the speedy airlifting of the pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
