Osun citizens register in large numbers for 2017 Hajj – State government releases official report

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– Osun state has recorded a large number of people registering for the 2017 Hajj pilgrimage

– The state was awarded an initial slot of 917, but due to the large turnout, they asked for 48 more

– The state government expressed happiness at this development and said it was a sign of economic prosperity

The Osun Ministry of Home Affairs has reported that the amount of slots allocated to it by the National Commission on Hajj for the 2017 pilgrimage are not enough.

The state was originally given 917 slots for pilgrims, but then it demanded for an extra 48 slots which were also filled up by intending pilgrims from the state.

This was disclosed on Saturday, August 5, by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr Obawale Adebisi, while speaking at a program where Governor Rauf Aregbesola bid farewell to the pilgrims performing this year’s Hajj.

Pilgrims gathered at the farewell ceremony in Osun
Source: ZENITHBLOG.com

The Governor said the development is a sign that the economy of Osun is not as precarious as being made to look to outsiders.

READ ALSO: President Buhari calls Osun state governor over his mother’s demise

The Office of the Special Adviser, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, also backed the statement from the Commissioner for Home Affairs.

Governor Aregbesola addresses those present at the ceremony
Source: ZENITHBLOG.com

A total of 724 pilgrims performed hajj last year from Osun while the year 2017 has recorded 965 pilgrims with the possibilities of other additions.

Citizens hail the governor of Osun state
Source: ZENITHBLOG.com

While bidding the pilgrims farewell, Governor Aregbesola said:

“I have been made to understand that some states even could not fill about one third of the slots given to them because their people have no capacity.

“But in Osun,

where some of our traducers would want the world to think is in such a precarious and irredeemable economic situation, our people are able to sponsor themselves for this journey at a time the government has no capacity to sponsor a single pilgrim.

“This is to confirm that our interventions in the various spheres of people’s lives have been impactful and this economic independence is a major indices.

“So, if you want to measure the results of our performance, this is one clear indication.”

Governor Aregbesola also specifically urged pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state while giving them prayer points while performing hajj rites.

READ ALSO: Osun state governor Rauf Aregbesola loses mum

He urged them to pray for peace of mind, better economic prosperity in Osun, peace in Yoruba land, Nigeria, quick recovery of President Muhammad Buhari, and above all, a place of comfort for his mother, Alhaja Saratu Asabi Aregbesola, who died recently.

A cross section of pilgrims in jubilation at the ceremony Source: ZENITHBLOG.com

Speaking earlier, the Ameer Hajj, Barrister Dhikrilah Hassan said Osun has also perfected its strategies towards making hajj comfortable, a situation he said has earned Osun commendations from the Saudi Arabian and Nigerian authorities.

He assured the governor that just as his team had done in the past, the 2017 exercise would also witness good conduct by pilgrims and that the state would maintain its place as good ambassador of Nigeria.

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ZENITHBLOG.com earlier reported that the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, on Sunday, July 30, inaugurated the airlifting of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2017 Hajj at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Osinbajo, who was represented by the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammed Bello, commended the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) and aviation agencies for the arrangement being put in place.

Watch this ZENITHBLOG.com video of Aregbesola’s achievements in Osun state below:

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