The Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Commission on Wednesday says that it has secured 80 per cent of visas for 3, 249 intending pilgrims for the 2013 Hajj.

Alhaji Sani Awwal, the commission’s spokesman, made this known to newsmen in Minna.

He said that the commission was working toward the timely completion of the visa requirements for all the prospective pilgrims.

Awwal said that the commission had distributed hand luggage bags and uniforms to the intending pilgrims as part of the preparations for the pilgrimage.

He said that the intending pilgrims had been adequately trained on the religious rites which they were expected to perform while in the Holy land.

Awwal said that the commission had completed the first phase of the screening of the female pilgrims for pregnancy test, in adherence to the rules barring pregnant women from performing the Hajj.

He said that all the intending pilgrims were also screened by the medical team for high blood pressure, diabetes and other illnesses which could impede their performance of the Hajj rites. He added that the second phase of the screening of the female pilgrims would be carried out at the Hajj Camp shortly before their departure from the country.

Awwal urged the pilgrims to wear their uniforms at all times to facilitate their quick identification both at the camp and during the Hajj rites. He thanked Gov. Babangida Aliyu for approving funds for the provision of accommodation close to the main site of the pilgrimage to ease the pilgrims’ stay in the Holy land.

Islamic cleric lauds Ogun govt on plan to return schools to missionaries

Ogun State government has been commended for the plan to return missionary schools in the state back to their owners.

An Islamic Scholar and Chief Imam of Sango Ota Central Mosque, Alhaji Tajudeen Shafi gave this commendation recently while speaking with newsmen.

He noted that among the benefits inherent in such move are better standard of education when compared with public schools, discipline among students and moral rectitude.

“It is a welcome development, if mission schools are returned to their owners in the state, like what happened in Lagos state during the former governor of the State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “

On his assessment of Ogun State governor in the last two years, the cleric said government had improved tremendously in area of development, adding that cooperation with the present administration will bring about more dividends of democracy.

Pregnancy: Kano bars 7 female prospective pilgrims from Hajj

Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board Wednesday barred seven female prospective pilgrims from performing the 2013 Hajj in Saudi Arabia,  Alhaji Nuhu Badamasi, the Public Relations Officer of Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has announced

Alhaji Badamasi, told newsmen in Kano that the women were discovered to be pregnant during screening.

He said the decision was part of measures taken by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to prevent pregnant women from travelling for the pilgrimage.

“The measure is aimed at safeguarding the health of female pilgrims in view of the rigorous nature of some of the Hajj rites”

“Hajj is a rigorous exercise which pregnant women and other persons with ill-health cannot withstand,” Badamasi said.

He, however, called for understanding among women as the action was meant to ensure that no female pilgrim suffered unnecessarily during the Hajj operation.

A total of 5,648 prospective pilgrims are expected to perform this year’s Hajj from the state.