‘Lagos will not sponsor pilgrims for 2015 hajj’

Lagos State government said on Tuesday that it was not sponsoring pilgrims for the 2015 hajj.

AbdulLateef Abdul Hakeem, head of the state’s delegates to the 2015 pilgrimage, who made this known, said the state was only involved in coordinating the affairs of pilgrims from Lagos and ensure a hitch-free hajj.

Abdul Hakeem, who is also the chairman of the Lagos ad-hoc committee for the hajj, said the state government was not sponsoring pilgrims, but only interested in making sure the state pilgrims were well taken care of.

“I wish to inform the general public that Lagos State has not sponsored or intend to sponsor any pilgrim for the 2015 hajj operations. What we were mandated to do is to coordinate the affairs of all intending pilgrims for this year’s hajj, ” he said.

The chairman added that the state involvement as a responsive and responsible government was limited to medical and general welfare.

He said “we are giving support by providing welfare personnel, medical officials and clerics to guide them and ensure that they remain good ambassadors.

“Lagos State government recognises the fact that pilgrimage is a private affair of individuals, but the primary essence of governance is to ensure the welfare of the people within and outside the state so that they remain law abiding.”

He therefore urged all intending pilgrims to expect hitch free hajj operations and be good ambassadors of the state.