The Camp of Oyo State Muslim pilgrims in Mekkah was thrown into wild jubilation on Saturday as the lawmaker representing Ibadan North West/South West constituency at the House of Representatives, Honourable Stanley Dhikirillahi Olajide paid a visit to the pilgrims and gifted them five million naira.
The federal lawmaker, fondly called Odidiomo by fans and political associates, further promised to give the Muslim pilgrims additional gifts.
Honourable Olajide, while addressing the pilgrims from the pacesetter state at their hotel in Makkah sympathized with them over the hardship they were facing.
He pointed out that the sufferings being experienced were not peculiar to Oyo State but was a national problem.
“I’m aware of your sufferings in the course of performing this year’s hajj. But I want you to know that you’re not alone as I also experienced similar hardships while performing this holy pilgrimage. It would interest you to know that the Governor of Bauchi state Bala Muhammed and the Governor of Kebbi state Nasiru Idris had similar bitter experience. Therefore I want to appeal to you to see your present plight as a test of your faith”, Odidi Omo said.
The House of Representatives member promised to canvass for a reform of the Hajj operations in Nigeria through legislations with a view to ending the present hardships being suffered by Nigerian pilgrims.
In his response to the visitors’ generosity, the Chairman of the State Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board Professor Sayed Malik showered encomiums on Honourable Olajide for giving the succour to the pilgrims.
Professor Malik attributed the present hardships being experienced by the pilgrims nationwide to the inefficiency of the body saddled with responsibility of coordinating Hajj operations in the country, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
While stressing that NAHCON was apparently overwhelmed and incapable of handling the Hajj exercise, Professor Malik then called for a return of responsibilities and coordination of Hajj operations to the State Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Boards.
