Oyo government begins hajj orientation, vaccination

Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board has begun vaccination and orientation of intending pilgrims for the 2019 hajj, to educate them on hajj expectations and prevent diseases.

The pilgrims were vaccinated against yellow fever and water-borne diseases. Their blood and urine samples were also screened.Educating the pilgrims, the board chairman, Alhaji Taofeek Akewugbagold, urged them to keep their loads properly and not to accept or assist anyone to carry luggage while boarding the plane.

Akewugbagold advised the pilgrims not to be in possession of any contraband item while going to Saudi Arabia because the authorities would not spare anyone caught.“Avoid utterances that can spoil your hajj. Be patient and humble to other pilgrims because we are all equal before God, no matter how rich you may be,” he counselled.

Urging newly-elected political office holders to sponsor pilgrims as a show of appreciation to God, he disclosed that over 500 pilgrims had so far registered with the board for the exercise.National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) allocated 1,000 slots to the state for the 2019 hajj.