The Lagos State Government says it will allocate 80 percent of the slots given to the state to intending pilgrims who are going for the hajj operation in Saudi Arabia for the first time.
This is in compliance with the directive from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON directing that 80% of state allocation be reserved for first time intending pilgrims.
According to the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Alhaji Oyinlomo Danmole in a statement, the state government was ready to implement the quota.
He added that the state Pilgrims Board had been directed by NAHCON all intending female pilgrims must be accompanied by a muharam to forestall the repatriation of pilgrims experienced during the 2012 hajj airlift.
Danmole stated further that due to the on-going expansion of the holy mosque in Mecca the slot allocated to nations, including Nigeria had been affected with subsequent impact on allocations to states.
“Consequently, all intending pilgrims above 65 years of age must be accompanied by a younger relation while anyone with health challenges will not be allowed to perform this year’s hajj,” he said.
The commissioner also said the state government had decentralized registration for hajj in the state by opeing five registration centres preparatory to the commencement of the Unified Pilgrims Electronic Registration System (UPERS).
“The new electronic registration process, introduced by the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), is a pre-condition for the issuance of hajj visa to intending 2013 hajj pilgrims and will be conducted in centres spread within the five divisions of the state.
“The new system is meant to ease the process of hajj registration, enhance synergy of hajj operations and reduce the inconvenience faced by the majority of intending pilgrims, especially those who live outside the city centre.
“All intending pilgrims who screened and adjudged fit for the 2013 hajj are required to visit the centres assigned to their local government areas for the Unified Pilgrims Electronic Registration capturing,” he stated.
Intending pilgrims living in Ojo, Olorunda, Iba, OtoAwori, Badagry, Badagry West, Oriade, Ajeromi Ifelodun and Amuwo Odofin have their registration centre at Ojo LG Secretariat while those living in Kosofe, Agboyi-Ketu, Ikosi-IsheriShomolu, Bariga, Ikorodu, Ikorodu North, Ikorodu West, Igbogbo-Bayeku, Ijede and Imota have their centre at Kosofe LG Secretariat.
Intending pilgrims in Ikeja, Ojodu, Onigbongbo, Agege, OrileAgege, Alimosho, Agbado-Oke Odo, Moson-Okunola, Igando-Ikotun, Egbe-Idimu, Ayobo-Ipaja, Oshodi, Isolo, Ejigbo, Mushin, Odi Olowo-Ojuwoye, Ifako-Ijaiye and Ojokoro have their centre at Ikeja (Muslim Pilgrims Board Office).
Surulere LG Secretariat serves as another centre for intending pilgrims living in Surulere, Coker-Aguda, Itire Ikate, Lagos Island, Lagos Island East, Lagos Island West, Lagos Mainland, Yaba, Apapa and Apapa-Iganmu, while Eti-Osa LG Secretariat plays host to intending pilgrims from Eti-Osa, Eti-Osa West, Eti-Osa East, Ikoyi-Obalende, Iru/Victoria Island, Epe, Ikosi-Ejirin, Eredo, Ibeju Lekki and Ibeju.
This is in compliance with the directive from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON directing that 80% of state allocation be reserved for first time intending pilgrims.
According to the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Alhaji Oyinlomo Danmole in a statement, the state government was ready to implement the quota.
He added that the state Pilgrims Board had been directed by NAHCON all intending female pilgrims must be accompanied by a muharam to forestall the repatriation of pilgrims experienced during the 2012 hajj airlift.
Danmole stated further that due to the on-going expansion of the holy mosque in Mecca the slot allocated to nations, including Nigeria had been affected with subsequent impact on allocations to states.
“Consequently, all intending pilgrims above 65 years of age must be accompanied by a younger relation while anyone with health challenges will not be allowed to perform this year’s hajj,” he said.
The commissioner also said the state government had decentralized registration for hajj in the state by opeing five registration centres preparatory to the commencement of the Unified Pilgrims Electronic Registration System (UPERS).
“The new electronic registration process, introduced by the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), is a pre-condition for the issuance of hajj visa to intending 2013 hajj pilgrims and will be conducted in centres spread within the five divisions of the state.
“The new system is meant to ease the process of hajj registration, enhance synergy of hajj operations and reduce the inconvenience faced by the majority of intending pilgrims, especially those who live outside the city centre.
“All intending pilgrims who screened and adjudged fit for the 2013 hajj are required to visit the centres assigned to their local government areas for the Unified Pilgrims Electronic Registration capturing,” he stated.
Intending pilgrims living in Ojo, Olorunda, Iba, OtoAwori, Badagry, Badagry West, Oriade, Ajeromi Ifelodun and Amuwo Odofin have their registration centre at Ojo LG Secretariat while those living in Kosofe, Agboyi-Ketu, Ikosi-IsheriShomolu, Bariga, Ikorodu, Ikorodu North, Ikorodu West, Igbogbo-Bayeku, Ijede and Imota have their centre at Kosofe LG Secretariat.
Intending pilgrims in Ikeja, Ojodu, Onigbongbo, Agege, OrileAgege, Alimosho, Agbado-Oke Odo, Moson-Okunola, Igando-Ikotun, Egbe-Idimu, Ayobo-Ipaja, Oshodi, Isolo, Ejigbo, Mushin, Odi Olowo-Ojuwoye, Ifako-Ijaiye and Ojokoro have their centre at Ikeja (Muslim Pilgrims Board Office).
Surulere LG Secretariat serves as another centre for intending pilgrims living in Surulere, Coker-Aguda, Itire Ikate, Lagos Island, Lagos Island East, Lagos Island West, Lagos Mainland, Yaba, Apapa and Apapa-Iganmu, while Eti-Osa LG Secretariat plays host to intending pilgrims from Eti-Osa, Eti-Osa West, Eti-Osa East, Ikoyi-Obalende, Iru/Victoria Island, Epe, Ikosi-Ejirin, Eredo, Ibeju Lekki and Ibeju.
