Hajj: Sanwo-Olu tasks pilgrims to pray for peace in Nigeria

Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has charged pilgrims from the state to this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia to be good Ambassadors of the state and the country at large. He also warned them against getting involved in all acts in violations of the laws of Saudi Arabia and those regulating the Hajj exercise. […]

Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has charged pilgrims from the state to this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia to be good Ambassadors of the state and the country at large.

He also warned them against getting involved in all acts in violations of the laws of Saudi Arabia and those regulating the Hajj exercise.

The Governor gave this warning in a message to the one-day Seminar organised for the intending pilgrims by the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.

The Governor who was represented by the state Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ibrahim Layode, enjoined the intending pilgrims to pray for continued economic prosperity, peaceful coexistence in the state and the country.

Sanwoolu said that Lagos state is fully committed to their safety, comfort and spiritual upliftment during the exercise while appealing to them to accord priority to their health due to the severe weather conditions in the holy land.

He expressed hope that the state will not record any casualty during the spiritual exercise stressing the need for the pilgrims to protect their traveling documents.

The Guest Speaker at the Seminar, the Chief Missioner, Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria, Igbogno branch, Alhaji Luqman Abdulrasaq AbdulMubarak
reminded the pilgrims to focus strictly on the essence of the spiiritual exercise and not social affairs when they arrive in the Holyland, Saudi Arabia.

He also appealed to the federal government to liaise with the Saudi Arabia authorities to find a means of ensuring that more Nigerians have opportunity to perform the spiritual exercise.

The Chief Imam who spoke on the significance of Hajj in the life of a Muslim made it clear that Hajj is not for Tourism and warned that any of the pilgrims who violate the laws guiding the exercise will face the consequences.

According to him, the essence of Hajj is for the faithful to embark on the journey and connect with historical aspect of the religion and connection with Allah.

In his welcome address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters, Dr. Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe, said the forum was to enlighten the pilgrims on their conducts and the rules guiding the exercise.

Jebe who is also the Chairman, 2026 Hajj Ad-hoc committe also presented members of the committee saddled with different responsibilities including Transportation, Medical, Security, Accommodation to the pilgrims.

The Head of the Medicals for Lagos Pilgrims, Dr. Mossida Erinosho urged the pilgrims not to shy away from exposing all their health challenges to the team.

She stressed the need for the pilgrims to avoid self medication, unnecessary exposure to sun due to the hot weather in Saudi Arabia while also take enough of water.

The Assistant Comptroller Immigration, Bubah Isa urged the pilgrims to be a good Ambassadors of Islam in the holyland and keep their passports well.

He also reminded them to ensure that their passports are endorsed at the point of departure and arrival and Keep it away from water.

For the NDLEA, Mallam Ahmed Yusuf warned them not to help anyone keep their luggages or engage in any drug related issue.

Meanwhile, the 2026 Hajj airlift operations have officially commenced in Lagos, with the successful departure of the inaugural flight from the Pilgrims and Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in the early hours of Monday, May 4, 2026.