Lagos bags award for standard hajj operations

Lagos State has again won the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) award of excellence as the best and most disciplined contingent at the 2018 Hajj exercise.

The Former Commissioner of Home Affairs, Dr. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef, received the award of excellence on behalf of the Lagos State government at the sensitisation and seminar exercise for 2019 intending pilgrims, organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Representative of the NAHCON, South West, Sheikh Fuad Adeyemi, stated that Lagos, since 2015 has progressively been lifting the standard of hajj operation in Nigeria.

He said the feat was borne out from the way, Lagos pilgrims in 2018 comported themselves in Hajj 2018, before airlifting during Hajj, departing from Hajj and arrival in Nigeria, and that state have been a very good example to other states in the provision of welfare of its pilgrims ranging from accommodation, transportation and feeding.”

He said prior to 2015, Lagos pilgrims has a few challenges as discipline and other logistics were sources of concern, but the turn-around since year 2015 has been very remarkable and the transformation from a situation of disorderliness to excellence is truly amazing and quite admirable.”

He commended the Amir Hajj Dr.Abdul Hakeem Abdul Lateef for his uncommon leadership role, on his resilience, efficiency and selfless efforts coupled with humility and genuine respect for each and every pilgrim.

“He has consistently shows exemplary conducts and high standard in Hajj operation which continues to project and promote the excellent reputation of Lagos State.”

He urged the pilgrims to have unflinching confidence in the State’s pilgrimage operations and be steadfast in their good characters and discipline.

Abdul Lateef, in his response said Lagos would continue to exhibit sterling qualities and perform beyond the common level of excellence. The Amir Hajj stated further that the goal “is always to shift frontier of performance beyond the level of previous year.”

He went on to praise the efforts of the State Government for the support which has been the source for the outstanding and unprecedented achievements being recorded in every of the Hajj operations since 2015, while promising that this year (2019) would even be more successful with the level of support being from the governor.

The Amir Hajj commended all other stakeholders, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board, the Ulamas and other spiritual leaders, who always rally round to constantly scale-up standard.