• Offers free Ihram, transportation, others
• Over 400 Nasarawa pilgrims depart Abuja for Saudi Arabia

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has promised a robust welfare package to 1,432 state pilgrims embarking on the hajj this year.
 
The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Justice/Attorney-General, Lawal Pedro, made the promise while addressing the pilgrims during a special one-day seminar and prayer session organised by the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.
 
Sanwo-Olu, while highlighting the profound spiritual and logistical significance of the hajj, emphasised its importance as the fifth pillar of Islam, demanding complete submission, purification, and physical and mental preparedness.
 
However, in a move to prioritise the well-being of the pilgrims, the state government had implemented a free, comprehensive, and compulsory medical screening conducted across 10 decentralised locations.
 
The initiative, coordinated by Dr Mazeedat Erinosho, included vital health assessments and essential vaccinations administered by the Port Health Services.
 
The governor acknowledged the substantial financial investment of N8,784,085.59 paid by each pilgrim, assuring them of a comprehensive hajj package designed to provide excellent value.
 
This, according to him, includes quality accommodation close to the holy sites in Makkah and Madinah, comfortable lodging in Mina and Arafah, air-conditioned transportation for Ziyarah to historical locations, and daily nutritious local cuisine adhering to health and religious standards.
 
Also, the governor announced the provision of a dedicated medical team available for emergencies and routine care throughout the pilgrimage, adding that the cost of the Hadiyah ram had been covered by the state, and pilgrims would receive the monetary equivalent for their Ihram clothing in Saudi Riyals.
 
He, therefore, urged the intending pilgrims to serve as exemplary ambassadors in Saudi Arabia by maintaining high ethical standards and avoiding any actions that could tarnish the nation’s reputation.

RELATEDLY, the first batch of over 400 intending pilgrims from Nasarawa State has departed Nigeria for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform the 2025 hajj pilgrimage.
 
The pilgrims left the country on Saturday via a direct flight from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
 
The State Amirul Hajj, Senator Abdullahi Adamu; the Chairman of the Nasarawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, and the Executive Secretary of the Board, Idris Al-Makura, who were present at the airport to oversee the smooth departure, expressed confidence in the arrangements and assured that all necessary logistics and welfare provisions had been put in place to ensure a safe and successful pilgrimage for the Nasarawa contingent