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Tag: Hajj pilgrims

  • FCT board begins registration for 2026 Hajj pilgrims

    FCT board begins registration for 2026 Hajj pilgrims

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has opened registration for intending pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj exercise, with deposits required to secure a seat.

    The Director of the Board, Kadiri Edah, disclosed this at a meeting in Abuja, stating that participants must deposit a minimum of N8,500,000 to register.

    “Intending pilgrims are to book their seat via a bank draft from any commercial bank payable to the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abuja, before 2 December 2025,” Edah said.

    He added that the bank draft and international passport must be submitted to Board officials at any of the six area councils of the FCT before the deadline.

    Read Also: MURIC hails YAYI for sponsoring 100 for hajj

    The director warned that only bank drafts would be accepted and that registration is on a first-come, first-served basis to ensure fairness.

    “Intending pilgrims who made deposits in previous Hajj exercises and still have funds with the Board should declare their intention before the deadline to book a seat for 2026,” he added.

    Edah said the Board is introducing new strategies to improve services for registered pilgrims and urged participants to deal directly with the Board, cautioning against third parties requesting extra payments outside the approved Hajj fare set by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

  • S/Arabia to fine unauthorised Hajj pilgrims, facilitators

    S/Arabia to fine unauthorised Hajj pilgrims, facilitators

    Unauthorised individuals at this year’s Hajj will pay a penalty of $5,332, Saudi Arabian authorities have said.

    A fine of $26,661.00 will be imposed on anyone who applies for a visit visa for an individual who has performed or attempted to perform Hajj without a permit, or who has entered or stayed in Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period.

    The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced the penalties for individuals who violate regulations requiring a permit to perform Hajj and for those who facilitate such violations.

    The ministry, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), said the following penalties will begin from Dhul-Qi’dah 1 until the end of Dhul-Hijjah 14.

    Dhul-Qi’dah 1 is the first day of the 11th month in the Islamic Hijri calendar, Dhul-Qa’dah. It’s a sacred month, meaning fighting is forbidden during it to ensure safe travel for Muslims performing Hajj in the following month, Dhul Hijjah. Dhul-Qa’dah is also known as “the month of truce” or “the month of sitting”.

    The dhul Hajj for 2025 is expected to begin on May 28.

    The ministry said a fine of up to SAR 20,000 (5,332 U.S dollars) will be imposed on individuals attempting to perform Hajj without a permit, and visitors trying to enter or stay in Makkah during this period.

    The second fine is that SAR 100,000 (26,661.00 U.S. dollars) will be imposed on anyone who applies for a visit visa for an individual who has performed or attempted to perform Hajj without a permit, or who has entered or stayed in Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period.

    The fine will multiply for each individual involved, the ministry said.

    It said the same fine will apply to anyone who transports or attempts to transport visit visa holders to Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period.

    The ministry added that those who shelter or attempt to shelter visit visa holders in any accommodations, including hotels, apartments, private housing, shelters, or Hajj pilgrims’ housing sites, would also be fined when caught.

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    According to the ministry, this includes concealing their presence or providing assistance that enables their stay, the fine will multiply for each individual sheltered, concealed, or assisted.

    The ministry said the third are, the illegal infiltrators attempting to perform Hajj, whether residents or overstayers, will be deported to their countries and banned from entering the Kingdom for ten years.

    The ministry said the relevant court will be requested to confiscate land vehicles used to transport visit visa holders to Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period, if owned by the transporter, facilitator, or any accomplices.

    Meanwhile, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has scheduled May 9 for the commencement of the airlift of Nigerian intending pilgrims.

    A statement by NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Information and Publication, Fatima Sanda Usara, revealed that 43,000 pilgrims paid for the pilgrimage.

  • Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat offer free medical screening for Hajj pilgrims

    Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat offer free medical screening for Hajj pilgrims

    The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat have sponsored the compulsory medical screening for the state’s intending pilgrims embarking on holy pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

    Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ibrahim Layode, made this known during the kick-off of the medical exercise in Badagry Local Government Secretariat, Ajarah, Badagry.

    He stated that in fulfillment of the governor’s directive that every pilgrim going for the tedious exercise from the state must be certified medically fit, doctors and other medical practitioners were drawn from general hospitals across the state to carry out the exercise, adding that results would be released after the blood, urine and other samples collected from them must have been critically examined and analysed at designated general hospitals. 

    He stressed that the results would confirm their true health status and help to know how best to manage them during their stay in the Holy land. 

    Layode who doubles as the Amir-ul- Hajj said that the value Mr. Governor and his deputy placed on the the wellbeing of the pilgrims cannot be over-emphaaized, hence, their decision to bankroll the screening in order to relieve them of the financial burden of paying for the screening after paying the huge Hajj fare of N8.7 million.

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    He said: “Mr. Governor and his deputy felt deeply concerned about the economic hardship in the country and decided to foot the bill of the screening to alleviate the intending pilgrims of the cost of the screening which was N50,000 last year.”

    He stated further that unlike previous years when the intending pilgrims were assembled in a centralised location for the screening, the state government decided to decentralize this year’s exercise to ensure that every pilgrim is adequately screened in line with international best practice and fulfillment of the pre-requisite for traveling abroad. 

    He explained that 10 ‘designated screening sites and health facilities for testing’ have been created across the state due to the seriousness the present administration attached to the issue. 

    Layode, who disclosed that no fewer than 1,400 intending pilgrims would perform the Hajj rites from Lagos, appreciated Mr. Governor and his deputy for providing the exercise free for them. 

    He warned that any pilgrim that failed to appear for the screening would not be allowed to travel for the spiritual exercise.

    While speaking on its importance, the coordinator of the medical screening exercise, Dr. Mazeedat Erinosho said that there is a great improvement in this year’s exercise from the previous ones. She added that new tests have been included. 

    Dr. Erinisho who is the Director, Medical Administration, Training and Programs (DMAT/P) in the Lagos State Ministry of Health, listed the screening intending pilgrims would undergo to include; Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B and C, Tuberculosis (TB), Urinalysis, Pregnancy test for women, Full Blood Count (FBC) and Electrolyte and Urea + Creatinine (E & U + Cr) to assess kidney functions. 

    She said that new tests such as TB, E, U + Cr etc. were added with a view to giving the intending pilgrims the benefits of knowing their health status and ensuring that they are medically sound before embarking on the spiritual journey as directed by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu. 

    On his part, the Board Secretary, Mr. AbdulHakeem Ajomagberin, urged all the intending pilgrims to take advantage of the free medical screening exercise by participating fully, saying this kind of opportunity provided by the governor and his deputy was unprecedented. 

    While giving assurances that the State Government has made necessary preparation for their comfort in the Holy Land, Ajomagberin emphasised that this singular act of compassion has further endeared and engraved the love of the Governor and his deputy in the heart of the intending pilgrims and Lagosians in general. 

    He expressed the hope that this kind gesture would continue to be enjoyed by future intending pilgrims, going forward. 

    Other functionaries at the flag off in Badagry are Prof. Kabir Paramole, Alhaji Yusuf Ara (members, Central Working Committee for Y2025 Hajj) and former Executive Secretary, Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mr. Adeniyi Okoya, among others. 

  • Lagos vaccinates intending hajj pilgrims

    Lagos vaccinates intending hajj pilgrims

    • Constitutes working Committee, LGA coordinators

    The Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has commenced the process of vaccinating its intending pilgrims against polio, meningitis and yellow fever ahead of the 2025 Hajj exercise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    The vaccination which started on Wednesday at the Shamsi Adisa Thomas (SAT) Mosque Hall, GRA, Ikeja, has intending pilgrims from Agege, Amuwo Odofin, Badagry and Mushin Local Government Areas being attended to.

    In a statement by Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Taofeek Lawal, intending pilgrims from other local government areas would be attended to as scheduled.

    He stated that intending pilgrims from Ajeromi Ifelodun, Eti-Osa, Kosofe and Oshodi Isolo were vaccinated yes while Alimosho, Epe, Ifako Ijaiye and Lagos Mainland would have theirs on Tuesday.

    Apapa, Surulere, Ikeja and Lagos Island would be attended to on Wednesday, on Thursday, it would be the turn of those from Somolu, Ojo, Ikorodu and JAIZ Bank, NIA and Royal. The last day would be the turn of government officials and outstanding/left over pilgrims.

    The Board Secretary, Mr. AbdulHakeem Ajomagberin, said the vaccination exercise was in fulfillment of the requirements for international travels. He therefore urged the intending pilgrims to make themselves available on the date appointed for their respective local governments.

    He added that officials of the Port Health Service (Federal Ministry of Health) would provide them with the yellow card after the vaccination.

    Meanwhile, the State Government has constituted a 13-man central working committee to oversee and ensure the success of this year’s Holy pilgrimage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    Ajomagberin said the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters, Dr. Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe, has been appointed as the Chairman of the committee. He also added that 21 Schedule Officers (Coordinators) have been appointed for the Local Government Areas of the state.

    Read Also: Kaduna Pilgrims Agency begins refund payments to 2023 Hajj pilgrims

    He emphasized that while the committee would be responsible for the Hajj operation both in Nigeria and the Holy Land, by ensuring that everything necessary is put in place for the pilgrims to perform the Hajj rites both in Makkah and Madinah seamlessly, the coordinators would work closely with the committee to ensure that the needs of the pilgrims are met and their journey made as comfortable as possible.

    Ajomagberin who was recently appointed as the Board Secretary, explained that each member of committee would chair the sub-committees constituted for the success of the pilgrimage exercise.

    According to him the sub-committees and their chairmanship includes, Imam Shakiru Ayinde Gafar (Muna, Madinah and Arafah); Prof. Kabir Paramole (Dawah & Sensitization); Dr Faosat Dabiri (Medical); AlhajibYusuf Ara (Bags and Luggages); Alhaji Mojeed Sanni (Transportation); Waheed Shonibare (Airlifting and Manifest) and Mayegun Musiliudeen (Accommodation).

    Others are; Alhaji Agoro Ibrahim (Security); Issa Akeredolu (Media and Publicity); Imam Nurain AbdulAzeez (Tribunal); Alhaja Oluwakemi Okunola and Alhaja Idayat Elegbede (Special duties) and Board Secretary (Passport and Visa).

    He listed the appointed Local Government Coordinators as Anileleye Maimuna (Kosofe); Ige Kolawole (Agege); Adele-Sanyaolu Mariam (Amuwo-Odofin); Saidat Alogba- Kalejaye (Ikorodu); Musa Lawal (Eti-Osa); Ajarat Sanusi-Alaka (Alimosho); Khadijat Oluwa-Adegbola (Surulere); Fatimah Jaji (JAIZ Bank, NIA and Royal); Ahmed Rukayat (Lagos Mainland); Muhammed Abiola (Ikeja); Hassan Ismaila (Ojo) and Suraj Akinyemi (Apapa).

    Others are Lawal Abdullahi (Epe);  Abubakar Aliyu (Oshodi Isolo); Abubakar Lawal (Lagos Island); Bisiriyu Lookman (Ajeromi Ifelodun); AbdulSalam Silifat ((Mushin); Gafar Mujib (Badagry); Taiwo Anibaba (Shomolu); Bello Rashidat (Ifako Ijaye) while  Saudat Murtador  will coordinate the Government officials.

    Ajomagberin said that the committees and local government coordinators are expected to work collectively as a team with other stakeholders to address every aspect of the pilgrimage exercise with a view to ensuring a smooth, convenient and remarkable experience for the pilgrims.

  • JUST IN: Over 18,000 hajj pilgrims airlifted to Saudi Arabia

    JUST IN: Over 18,000 hajj pilgrims airlifted to Saudi Arabia

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said  a total of 18,906 pilgrims have been transported to Saudi Arabia for the 2024–1445 Holy pilgrimage.

    The agency revealed this in a Day 11 airlift update on Saturday.

    NAHCON gave the update on its official X handle, @nigeriahajjcom.

    An earlier post featured a graphic breakdown of the overall number of pilgrims who have already been transported by state, flight, and gender.

    “Today, Air Peace flight APK7920 departed from Lagos to Madinah at 11:45hrs, carrying 298 pilgrims from Edo State. The group consists of 162 males and 136 females.

    Read Also: NPHCDA aids Hajj Pilgrims with essential drugs

    “This flight marks a significant milestone in the ongoing pilgrimage airlift operations. To date, a total of 18,906 pilgrims have been transported across 45 flights,” it read.

    The information was confirmed by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria Command and Control Center in Abuja.

    Details shortly…

  • Presidency eases Saudi visa procurement process

    Worried by the lingering hassles prospective Hajj pilgrims have had to endure in the past few months in the process of obtaining visa to the holy land in Mecca, the presidency has intervened.

    The Nation was reliably informed that President Muhammadu Buhari had moved to ease Hajj visa processing difficulties faced by intending pilgrims ahead of the 2018 Hajj season.

    A formal letter to King Salman Bn Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia, was conveyed by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, His Excellency, Justice Isa Dodo (Rtd) accompanied by Nigeria’s Consul-General in Jeddah, Ambassador Muhammad Sani Yunusa and the Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Barr. Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad.

    While delivering the letter, Justice Dodo expressed the concern of President Buhari over the present difficulties faced by intending pilgrims in securing visas during the Umrah season as a result of the newly introduced policy of biometrics capturing of applicants. Presently, the data capture is being handled by a company assigned by Saudi authorities which has not prepared fully to handle visa applications in Nigeria.

    In his address at the meeting, NAHCON Chairman/CEO Barr Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad observed that the process of introducing the new policy began in 2014 through formal communication by the relevant Saudi Authorities. However, the commencement of the policy was not properly communicated to the relevant Nigerian authorities in charge of Hajj and Umrah.

    In addition, the facilities deployed to implement the policy are grossly inadequate. He added that visa applicants are subjected to long travel to where biometric capture centers are located with the attendant security risks as well as challenges of accommodation and other logistic issues.

    The Chairman therefore reiterated Nigeria’s request for a suspension of the policy for Hajj 2018 until such a time when the company is ready or it opens at least a minimum of 23 centres across Nigeria, to make such centres accessible to intending pilgrims across the country.

    The Chairman also seized the opportunity to request the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs to adequately regulate the issuance of Gratis (Mujamala) visas for Hajj in view of the abuse of such visas in some quarters where beneficiaries are sent to Saudi Arabia without adequate accommodation and other arrangements.

    Responding on behalf of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Director General in Charge of Makkah Branch, Mr Jamaal Balkhoyor, undertook to make appropriate recommendations to accompany the letter. He recognised the right of the regulatory Hajj authorities in Nigeria to be adequately informed about new policies on Hajj or Umrah affecting Nigerians as well as their right to designate biometric capture centres in consideration of the nation’s peculiarities.

    He mentioned that in spite of the challenge, about 50,000 biometric records have been captured since the policy commenced in 2017. He finally assured the delegation that Gratis visas are issued by the Saudi Ambassador after fulfillment of all conditions such as having complete arrangements for accommodation, transportation and other requirements.

    It will be recalled that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in December 2017, started implementing a policy that requires all applicants for Hajj and Umrah visas to present themselves for biometric capture at three centres situated in Kano, Abuja and Lagos.

    The federal government formally objected to the introduction of the policy due to breach of communication protocol as well as non-preparedness of the company implementing the policy. The Saudi Government later increased the centres to nine which are still considered inadequate.

  • NAHCON completes airlift of pilgrims from Mecca

    NAHCON completes airlift of pilgrims from Mecca

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has completed the airlift of Hajj pilgrims from the Holy city of Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, The Nation has learnt.

    Confirming this development Monday was the Chairman of NAHCON, Barrister Abdullah Mukhtar Muhammad.

    He spoke at a dinner in Jeddah.

    While commending Nigerian pilgrims, the NAHCON boss thanked Allah for the successful completion of the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims, which coincided with the nation’s 57th independence anniversary
    He therefore, extended his appreciation to the federal government, the Saudi authorities, the Saudi based service providers, Nigerians resident in Saudi, staff of the Commission and other officials for a successful delivery of services expected of them during the Hajj exercise.

    He also expressed happiness that no Nigerian pilgrim was reported or arrested for any criminal offence at the just concluded Hajj exercise.

    The Chairman said the last batch of Nigerian pilgrims who already at the King Abdulaziz Airport, Jeddah in preparation to board the last flight back to Nigeria Monday.

    He said preparation for the next Hajj exercise should be considered by all to have started.
    He also congratulated all Nigerians for Nigeria’s independence anniversary.

    In his closing remarks, the Nigerian Consul General in Jeddah, Ambassador Muhammad Sani Yunus expressed satisfaction with the conduct of Nigerian pilgrims who became worthy ambassadors of the country in the holy land just as he applauded the commitment and sacrifices of NAHCON in facilitating a hitch-free Hajj exercise.

  • Medview flies Hajj pilgrims

    MEDVIEW Airline yesterday started Hajj operations with the airlifting of 540 pilgrims to Medina for this year’s Holy pilgrimage to Mecca.

    The pilgrims from Ogun State were airlifted in two jumbo aircraft – B777-200ER and B767-300ER  – from the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja.

    The  operation will continue for the next two weeks for the airline to complete the  airlift of over 9,000 pilgrims allocated to it by the National Hajj Commission.

    Medview Airline is operating from  four airports – Lagos for Southwest, Port Harcourt (Southsouth), Enugu (Southeast states) and Maiduguri for Borno State pilgrims.

    Officials of the Zone’s Hajj Commission expressed satisfaction over the airline’s preparedness for the airlift.

    Medview Airline’s Managing Director/Chief executive officer , Alhaji Muneer Bankole, yesterday assured pilgrims of hitch-free operations.

    He told pilgrims during  documentation at the Hajj Camp, Murtala Muhammed Airport, that they were being flown directly to Medina.

    He said the plan would remove the stress and hazard associated with road transportation from Jeddah to the Holy Land.

     

  • Photo: Ambode attends seminar for 2015 hajj pilgrims

    Photo: Ambode attends seminar for 2015 hajj pilgrims

    L-R: Hon Dr Abdul Hakeem Abdullateef, Lagos State Hamirl-Hajj; Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos State Governor; Dr Yaqub Bashorun, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Lagos State; Mrs Ebunola Oladimeji, Permanent secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Alhaji Bashir Braimah, Director, Home Affairs and Alhaji Muneer Bankole, Managing Director, Medview Airline during a one-day Seminar for the Lagos State 2015 intending Hajj Pilgrims held in Lagos on Monday.
    L-R: Hon Dr Abdul Hakeem Abdullateef, Lagos State Hamirl-Hajj; Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos State Governor; Dr Yaqub Bashorun, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Lagos State; Mrs Ebunola Oladimeji, Permanent secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Alhaji Bashir Braimah, Director, Home Affairs and Alhaji Muneer Bankole, Managing Director, Medview Airline during a one-day Seminar for the Lagos State 2015 intending Hajj Pilgrims held in Lagos on Monday.

    Cross section of Lagos 2015 intending Hajj Pilgrims during a one-day seminar organised by Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board on Monday
    Cross section of Lagos 2015 intending Hajj Pilgrims during a one-day seminar organised by Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board on Monday

  • First batch of Hajj Pilgrims arrive from Saudi Arabia

    The first batch of 805 pilgrims that performed the 2013 Hajj in Saudi Arabia arrived the Muritala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, and the Ilorin Airport, aboard Med-View Airline on Sunday.

    A statement made available to aviation correspondents by Mr. Oyibotha Obuke, on behalf of the airline, said that a Med-View Boeing B747 aircraft with 507 pilgrims from Osun touched down at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja at 9.00am.

    It added that 298 pilgrims from Ondo State also arrived the Ilorin Airport aboard the airline’s B767 aircraft at 5.30am.

    The statement said the airline was pleased with the safe arrival of the pilgrims after a successful pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

    It noted that the management of the airline would complete the transporting of the pilgrims allocated to it by the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) in record time.

    The statement added that flights to arrive on Monday would transport the Ogun and Oyo States’ pilgrims.

    It quoted a member of the Osun State House of Assembly, Mr. M. B.O. Ibrahim – one of the pilgrims, as commending Med-View for its hitch-free Hajj operations.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the lawmaker urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to improve on facilities at the Hajj Camp, Murtala Muhammed Airport, to make it more conducive for pilgrims transiting through the terminal.