Ogun State Government has registered 740 intending pilgrims to perform the 2027 hajj exercise, in which calendar of events has been forwarded by Saudi Authority and adopted by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

The Executive Secretary, Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Ajibola Taiwo, disclosed this in Abeokuta during an interview with press men in Abeokuta, stating that 638 slots were initially received, while an additional 100 slots were requested for and were granted by NAHCON, amounted to 738 slots, with two officials included, which resulted to 740 intending pilgrims in total.

Alhaji Ajibola, affirmed that all the intending pilgrims had been uploaded, as they were now awaiting visa approval from the  Saudi Arabian authorities.

He revealed further that the State hajj system had been improved upon, pointed out that the government had registered its operation under the four blocks of the State which are ‘REMO, IJEBU, YEWA, EGBA' (RIYE) and known as RIYE HAJJ AND UMRAH SERVICES.

He said that the registration exercise was mandated by the Saudi Authority to ensure that all states of the federation enrol their services under a private sector in which the state has complied.

Alhaji Ajibola, maintained that the movement to Saudi Arabia for the forthcoming hajj exercise would take off from Iperu, the Gateway International Airport as it was this year, appreciating the present administration for the opportunity and assured that the State pilgrims would no longer experience the challenges of awaiting flights endlessly,  before the inception of the Gateway International Airport.

He added that the Board was yet to receive the number of vaccines to administer towards medical screening in preparation for the hajj exercise, explaining that four vaccines were initially administered while the number would increase for this year exercise and those within ages of 40 years and above would undergo a thorough medical screening with certificate of fitness issued to them.