Makinde assures intending pilgrims of smoother hajj operations

Pledges to make Olodo camp habitable for pilgrims

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, yesterday, said that his administration would smoothen hajj operations and make the Olodo Hajj Camp habitable for pilgrims.

The governor, who stated this, while addressing 151 intending pilgrims who came to complain about the 2022 hajj operations in his office, said that the delay in airlifting them was a result of the quota given to the state by the National Hajj Commission.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, the governor said he would look into the constraints facing the intending pilgrims and provide solutions.

He added that information reaching him has it that the commission had promised to reinstate the initial 150 slots it suspended for the state, stating that once that is done, his administration would ensure they are airlifted as soon as possible.

The governor also said that his administration would find ways to fix the infrastructure at the Olodo Hajj Camp in Ibadan, adding that doing so would make the camp more habitable for pilgrims.

He said: “I will take steps to fix the camp. I will do something about it and I want to assure you that this will be the last time something of this nature will happen.

“We will do everything humanly possible to address this matter. Please, I beg you to co-operate with us. If they give us the entire slot, everyone will go. Consequently, things will not be like this.”

Speaking on behalf of the intending pilgrims, Mr. Adebayo Gafar said that 151 names of intending pilgrims who were on the first batch were removed and placed on the waiting list.

He said the development was unacceptable because the pilgrims wanted to do all that are necessary to observe the religious exercise and pray for the state.

“We want you to quickly come to our aid on this matter as time is far spent so that our hope won’t be dashed,” he said.