“Undoubtedly, the first house of worship ever to be built
for mankind is the one which is at Makkah:
it was blessed and made the centre of Guidance for all peoples.
In it are clear Signs: there is the spot where Abraham used to worship:
Then it is the sanctuary, and whoso enters it becomes safe and secure.
Allah has, therefore, a right on the people that the one, who can afford
to reach the house, should perform Hajj there…” Qur’an 3:96-97.

With less than three weeks to the commencement of the airlifting of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for 2025 Hajj, there has been a bee-hive of activities at the states offices/camps of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards across the country including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

These activities including enlightenment lectures, medical screening, inoculation, among others, are designed to foster comfort, safety and spiritual enrichment of the pilgrims.

For instance, at the the flag-off ceremony of the vaccination of 2025 FCT intending pilgrims on Wednesday (April 16, 2025) at the FCT Pilgrims Hajj Camp, Airport Road, Abuja, Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Usman Saleh described the event as part of ongoing preparations for the 2025 Hajj operations.

“This event marks a vital step in our journey toward a successful 2025 Hajj. Ensuring the health of our pilgrims is not just a requirement; it is our responsibility. Today’s flag-off is a symbol of our readiness and proactive approach to Hajj planning. To our dear pilgrims, I urge you to cooperate fully, follow health guidelines, and remain prayerful as you prepare for this sacred journey.”

“I also encourage you to be law-abiding and patient throughout the Hajj process. It is equally important that you attend all scheduled pilgrims’ enlightenment lectures, as they offer essential knowledge and guidance about the rites of Hajj and the journey ahead. These lectures are designed to equip you spiritually, mentally, and practically to perform your pilgrimage in the best possible manner.”

The Chairman, thereafter, monitored the exercise and administered the first dose of the vaccination to one of the intending pilgrims, a symbolic gesture that highlighted the Commission’s hands-on approach and dedication to excellence.

Before the vaccination exercise began, Director of Public Health, NAHCON, Dr. Dan Gazama addressed the pilgrims, providing critical information about the vaccines being administered. He informed the gathering that:

“The vaccines being given today (Wednesday) include the meningitis vaccine, the oral polio vaccine, and the yellow fever vaccine—all of which are mandatory according to the health regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The yellow fever vaccine is valid for ten years, while the meningitis vaccine is valid for three years. These vaccinations are a prerequisite for Hajj and are essential to protecting both individual and public health.

“Some mild side effects may occur, such as pain at the injection site, low-grade fever, or body aches. These are normal and typically resolve within a day or two. However, if any pilgrim experiences persistent or severe symptoms, they are strongly advised to visit the nearest hospital or health facility immediately for proper medical attention.”

Dr. Gazama emphasized that receiving these vaccinations is a mandatory condition for entry into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and forms a critical part of the international health regulations that govern Hajj participation.

The Abuja outing heralds the nationwide rollout as the vaccination exercise is being replicated in all the participating states across the country.

Yesterday, Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board held what it tagged ‘General Vaccination of 2025 Hajj intending Pilgrims’ at Shamsi Adisa Thomas (SAT) Mosque, GRA, Ikeja. The event attracted the participation of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters, Dr. Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe; Board Secretary, Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mr. AbdulHakeem Ajomagberin; Director, Admin. & Human Resource, Miss Joke Raheem among many others.

In Ogun State, the inoculation and medical screening began also on Wednesday at the Arcade Ground, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. Executive Secretary, Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (OGMPWB), Alhaji Ajibola Taiwo said the exercise reflected state government’s commitment to safeguarding the health of the intending pilgrims while performing Hajj rites.

“We are committed to ensuring the wellness and safety of our pilgrims, and this exercise is a crucial part of that effort,” he said.

In his remark, a medical practitioner who is also a member of the screening team, Dr. Mojeed Oloko, charged intending pilgrims to take their health seriously and adhere strictly to medical advice by the team, in order to participate effectively during the Hajj exercise, saying the importance of the screening and counselling was an essential part of the process.

“There are some vaccine-preventable diseases, so we are here to ensure that all intending pilgrims going to Saudi Arabia this year are duly vaccinated, based on the guidelines by the Saudi authority. Aside from this, we are trying to know the health status of each pilgrim we are taking to Saudi Arabia,” he stated.

Explaining the significance of physical well-being as presented by World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Oloko said that adults of 40 to 45 years and above, were usually known to have one ailment or the other, emphasising that having an ailment was not the problem, but knowing the health status of an individual, using the right medications and following medical instruction.

“There are pilgrims who may have one or two medical challenges after identifying them, we counsel them on how they can manage their health to prevent complications during the Hajj exercise,” he added.

In their separate remarks, two of the intending pilgrims, Mr. Ajibade Mojeed and Mrs. Rauf Aminat, appreciated the state government for conducting medical screening, saying the medical test had helped them to prepare mentally and physically.

Osun State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board (OSMPWB) began a two-day vaccination exercise for all intending pilgrims yesterday at the Osun State Government Secretariat Central Mosque, Abeere, Osun State, while its enlightenment and induction course held for pilgrims on April 12 and 13, 2025 will continue on Saturday, April 19.

Similarly, the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board (JSPWB) organised a one-day train-the-trainer programme for 27 facilitators to train the state’s intending pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj.

The Director General of the Board, Alhaji Umar Labbo, flagged off the training on Wednesday at the state’s headquarters of the Pilgrims Welfare Board in Dutse, Jigawa State capital.

He urged the facilitators who are knowledgeable with tenets of hajj rites, drawn from each of the 27 local councils to ensure that each intending pilgrim acquires the requisite knowledge of hajj.

Malam Umar Labbo said after the training, the facilitators would, in turn, train the intending pilgrims at designated centres across the state. He said the facilitators will train the state’s intending pilgrims both at the local government level and in Saudi Arabia.

Labbo said the gesture, which is the first of its kind in the state, to sponsor the preachers to the holy land was to ensure proper training of the pilgrims on the basic tenets of Hajj, both in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

“After the train-the-trainer programme, the facilitators are expected to go back to their respective local councils to step down the training.

“They are mandated to train prospective pilgrims on obligations, tenets and cardinal principles of the Hajj exercise.

“The board will supervise the exercise in order to ensure that each and every prospective pilgrim participate in the exercise,” Malam Labbo said.

According to him, proper education of pilgrims would prepare them to conduct the Hajj in accordance with the teachings of Islam and be good ambassadors of the country.