“Undoubtedly, the primary home of worship ever to be builtfor mankind is the one which is at Makkah:it was blessed and made the centre of Steering for all peoples.In it are clear Indicators: there may be the spot the place Abraham used to worship:Then it’s the sanctuary, and whoso enters it turns into protected and safe.Allah has, due to this fact, a proper on the folks that the one, who can affordto attain the home, ought to carry out Hajj there…” Qur’an 3:96-97.
With lower than three weeks to the graduation of the airlifting of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for 2025 Hajj, there was a bee-hive of actions on the states places of work/camps of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards throughout the nation together with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
These actions together with enlightenment lectures, medical screening, inoculation, amongst others, are designed to foster consolation, security and religious enrichment of the pilgrims.
As an illustration, on the the flag-off ceremony of the vaccination of 2025 FCT intending pilgrims on Wednesday (April 16, 2025) on the FCT Pilgrims Hajj Camp, Airport Highway, Abuja, Chairman/CEO of the Nationwide Hajj Fee of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Usman Saleh described the occasion as a part of ongoing preparations for the 2025 Hajj operations.
“This occasion marks a significant step in our journey towards a profitable 2025 Hajj. Guaranteeing the well being of our pilgrims isn’t just a requirement; it’s our accountability. At this time’s flag-off is an emblem of our readiness and proactive method to Hajj planning. To our pricey pilgrims, I urge you to cooperate totally, observe well being tips, and stay prayerful as you put together for this sacred journey.”
“I additionally encourage you to be law-abiding and affected person all through the Hajj course of. It’s equally essential that you just attend all scheduled pilgrims’ enlightenment lectures, as they provide important information and steering concerning the rites of Hajj and the journey forward. These lectures are designed to equip you spiritually, mentally, and virtually to carry out your pilgrimage in the very best method.”
The Chairman, thereafter, monitored the train and administered the primary dose of the vaccination to one of many intending pilgrims, a symbolic gesture that highlighted the Fee’s hands-on method and dedication to excellence.
Earlier than the vaccination train started, Director of Public Well being, NAHCON, Dr. Dan Gazama addressed the pilgrims, offering important details about the vaccines being administered. He knowledgeable the gathering that:
“The vaccines being given right this moment (Wednesday) embrace the meningitis vaccine, the oral polio vaccine, and the yellow fever vaccine—all of that are necessary in keeping with the well being rules of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The yellow fever vaccine is legitimate for ten years, whereas the meningitis vaccine is legitimate for 3 years. These vaccinations are a prerequisite for Hajj and are important to defending each particular person and public well being.
“Some delicate unwanted effects could happen, similar to ache on the injection website, low-grade fever, or physique aches. These are regular and sometimes resolve inside a day or two. Nonetheless, if any pilgrim experiences persistent or extreme signs, they’re strongly suggested to go to the closest hospital or well being facility instantly for correct medical consideration.”
Dr. Gazama emphasised that receiving these vaccinations is a compulsory situation for entry into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and types a important a part of the worldwide well being rules that govern Hajj participation.
The Abuja outing heralds the nationwide rollout because the vaccination train is being replicated in all of the taking part states throughout the nation.
Yesterday, Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board held what it tagged ‘Normal Vaccination of 2025 Hajj intending Pilgrims’ at Shamsi Adisa Thomas (SAT) Mosque, GRA, Ikeja. The occasion attracted the participation of the Particular Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Issues, Dr. Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe; Board Secretary, Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mr. AbdulHakeem Ajomagberin; Director, Admin. & Human Useful resource, Miss Joke Raheem amongst many others.
In Ogun State, the inoculation and medical screening started additionally on Wednesday on the Arcade Floor, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. Government Secretary, Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (OGMPWB), Alhaji Ajibola Taiwo stated the train mirrored state authorities’s dedication to safeguarding the well being of the intending pilgrims whereas performing Hajj rites.
“We’re dedicated to making sure the wellness and security of our pilgrims, and this train is a vital a part of that effort,” he stated.
In his comment, a medical practitioner who can be a member of the screening workforce, Dr. Mojeed Oloko, charged intending pilgrims to take their well being critically and cling strictly to medical recommendation by the workforce, to be able to take part successfully through the Hajj train, saying the significance of the screening and counselling was an important a part of the method.
“There are some vaccine-preventable illnesses, so we’re right here to make sure that all intending pilgrims going to Saudi Arabia this 12 months are duly vaccinated, based mostly on the rules by the Saudi authority. Other than this, we are attempting to know the well being standing of every pilgrim we’re taking to Saudi Arabia,” he acknowledged.
Explaining the importance of bodily well-being as offered by World Well being Organisation (WHO), Dr. Oloko stated that adults of 40 to 45 years and above, have been often identified to have one ailment or the opposite, emphasising that having an ailment was not the issue, however figuring out the well being standing of a person, utilizing the correct medicines and following medical instruction.
“There are pilgrims who could have one or two medical challenges after figuring out them, we counsel them on how they’ll handle their well being to forestall problems through the Hajj train,” he added.
Of their separate remarks, two of the intending pilgrims, Mr. Ajibade Mojeed and Mrs. Rauf Aminat, appreciated the state authorities for conducting medical screening, saying the medical take a look at had helped them to arrange mentally and bodily.
Osun State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board (OSMPWB) started a two-day vaccination train for all intending pilgrims yesterday on the Osun State Authorities Secretariat Central Mosque, Abeere, Osun State, whereas its enlightenment and induction course held for pilgrims on April 12 and 13, 2025 will proceed on Saturday, April 19.
Equally, the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board (JSPWB) organised a one-day train-the-trainer programme for 27 facilitators to coach the state’s intending pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj.
The Director Normal of the Board, Alhaji Umar Labbo, flagged off the coaching on Wednesday on the state’s headquarters of the Pilgrims Welfare Board in Dutse, Jigawa State capital.
He urged the facilitators who’re educated with tenets of hajj rites, drawn from every of the 27 native councils to make sure that every intending pilgrim acquires the requisite information of hajj.
Malam Umar Labbo stated after the coaching, the facilitators would, in flip, practice the intending pilgrims at designated centres throughout the state. He stated the facilitators will practice the state’s intending pilgrims each on the native authorities stage and in Saudi Arabia.
Labbo stated the gesture, which is the primary of its variety within the state, to sponsor the preachers to the holy land was to make sure correct coaching of the pilgrims on the fundamental tenets of Hajj, each in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
“After the train-the-trainer programme, the facilitators are anticipated to return to their respective native councils to step down the coaching.
“They’re mandated to coach potential pilgrims on obligations, tenets and cardinal ideas of the Hajj train.
“The board will supervise the train to be able to be certain that each potential pilgrim take part within the train,” Malam Labbo stated.
In response to him, correct schooling of pilgrims would put together them to conduct the Hajj in accordance with the teachings of Islam and be good ambassadors of the nation.
