Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mr Ibrahim Layode, has called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to meet with stakeholders to find solutions to pilgrims’ challenges.
Layode made the call during a press conference in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, according to a statement by an Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Lagos State Welfare Pilgrims Board, Mr Taofeek Lawal.
The commissioner said that most of the challenges encountered during 2024 Hajj were from inadequacies of the commission.
He said that the South West was not pleased with food service at Mina as well as accommodation provided in Makkah.
“We had a lot of challenges, and most of them are from NAHCON.
“The caterer selected to provide meals for the state’s pilgrims was using his own discretion to select menu that was not favourable to the people of the South West.
“Pilgrims almost protested at Minna, and many of them rejected the meals served and chose to go and buy food from vendors.
“Even the accommodation provided for Lagos pilgrims in Makkah was not up to standards,” he said.
The official said that NAHCON admitted that there were challenges during the Hajj.
He, however, said that in spite of the challenges, ‘you can’t throw away the baby with the bath water’.
The commissioner called on stakeholders to join hands with NAHCON to address the challenges ahead of 2025 Hajj.
He thanked pilgrims from Lagos State for patience and praised the state Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, for huge support.
He said that the state government provided the shortfall of the Basic Travel Allowance to the pilgrims and offset the cost of rams, amongst other kind gestures.
NAN reports that no fewer than 926 of 1,869 Muslim pilgrims from Lagos State have so far returned from the 2024 Hajj.