The Executive Secretary, Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (LSMWPB), Imam AbdulHakeem Kosoko, has paid a courtesy visit to the Southwest Zonal Coordinator of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Gafar Odunola Babatunde, in his office at the Lagos Hajj Camp in Akowonjo, Alimosho area of Lagos State.
Imam Kosoko spoke during the visit saying the essence of the courtesy call was to formally introduce himself to the body and seek a harmonious working relationship with the Zonal Coordinator. He also stated that he also sought to get first-hand information on the possibility of the year 2022 Hajj exercise being actualised.
The Board Secretary pointed out that he had previously worked as a Hajj Guide, Ulamah (Cleric), Board Member, Special Assistant and Senior Special Assistant to a former Governor on Islamic matters before his present appointment, stressing that his background experience put him in good stead to do achieve a successful tenure of office.
While promising to improve the welfare of his staff and provide adequate training in order to enhance their capacity to render effective and efficient service delivery to all intending pilgrims, Kosoko solicited the support and cooperation of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to achieve his set goals and objectives.
Responding, the Zonal Coordinator - Alhaji Babatunde - thanked Imam Kosoko and his entourage for the visit, stating that he had always cherished the harmonious working relationship between the two bodies for many years back.
On the prospect of performing the Y2022 Hajj, he affirmed that there has not been any green light from Saudi Arabia yet, noting, however, that there is hope that something positive will happen this year considering the fervent prayers and efforts ongoing at the highest level by the officials of Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
According to him, as soon as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is signed between the two countries, the timetable of events relating to the spiritual exercise would be released.
He further stated that since the new Board of NAHCON, under the Chairmanship of Barr. Zikhrullah Kunle Hazzan assumed office two years ago, it came up with the idea of making hajj operations more flexible and easier for intending pilgrims in Nigeria.
Babatunde said that the Board, in its bid to improve Hajj operations in Nigeria, introduced a lot of innovations amongst which are the Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS) already launched in Lagos and other States in Nigeria to encourage gradual savings towards Hajj as well as the Hajj Training Institute which the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has approved.
Other innovations, according to him, include making the zonal offices more functional such that a lot of activities would be happening in the zones and the proposed reduction of days spent by pilgrims for Holy pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia to below 30 days in order to reduce cost.
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