• Plateau pilgrim dies in Mecca
The Lagos State Government has pledged 180 Saudi Riyal (about N75,981.60)to each of the 1,315 pilgrims performing the 2025 pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

The gift was announced by the Amir-ul-Hajj/Commissioner for Home Affairs, Olanrewaju Layode, while addressing the pilgrims during a pre-Mina and Arafah special prayer organised by the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board in Mecca.

Layode stated that as a God-fearing man and a promise-keeper, the governor gave out the money as promised during a seminar in Lagos in May.
He explained further that SAR80 was to take care of their Ihram clothing and the remaining 100SR for their upkeep in Mina and Arafah for the main Hajj rituals.

In a related development, a pilgrim from Plateau State died while on pilgrimage in Mecca.

The deceased, identified as Jamila Muhammad, reportedly died due to complications from diabetes, according to a statement released to newsmen in Jos yesterday by the Executive Secretary of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board in the state, Daiyabu Dauda.

She was reported to have passed away at the King Abdul’aziz Hospital, Mecca.

The statement added: “When the complications began, we immediately took her to the hospital for proper medication in line with our mandate. Unfortunately, we lost her, and the doctor at the hospital confirmed it was complications due to diabetes.”

ALSO, the Kwara State governor, Governor AbdulRahmanAbdulRazak, presently in Mecca, expressed the belief that it is only God that could see his government through and uplift the citizenry under his watch.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Rafiu Ajakaye, AbdulRazak said his government, though, operates a common open-door policy with identified stakeholders across the globe, it still needs divine guidance and support to succeed and dish desired relief and overall progress in the state.