Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu yesterday warned pilgrims to strictly adhere to the laws of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
He cautioned them against travelling with materials and drugs that are forbidden in the Holy Land.
According to him, no one will go and plead for anyone arrested for flouting the laws of Saudi Arabia.
The Governor spoke at the One-Day Seminar organised by the State Muslim Pilgrims Board, at De-Blue Roof, Lagos Television, Agidingbi, Ikeja.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu enjoined the pilgrims to comport themselves very well in the Holy Land and stressed the need for them to understand and obey the Saudi Arabia Laws so that they will not fall victim to their laws.
He said “All we are telling our pilgrims is to be focused, obedient, cooperate with the staff, listen to them, just follow their instructions and make Lagos State proud. Do not travel with tramadol. If you are going with any currency above.
He stated that they should know that they are going for spiritual exercise and not social engagement.
He, therefore, charged to take advantage of the spiritual exercise to seek God’s intervention and pray for themselves, the state and the nation.
The governor said the country is very much in need of prayers as she transits to another government on 29 May (today).
He urged the pilgrims to pray for the success of the in-coming administration of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The immediate past Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi, reiterated the governor’s warning against disobedience to Saudi Arabia’s laws.
Elegushi said that the Nigerian government has no bilateral arrangement with the Saudi government not to punish anyone found on the wrong side of their laws.
He advised them to focus on their spiritual activities and shun any criminal acts.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman, Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Shakirudeen Ayinde Gafar, said the event marks another milestone in the history of Hajj operation in Lagos State and was designed to empower intending pilgrims with all traveling information for them not to run foul of the Nigerian and Saudi Arabian laws, both at home and abroad.
The chairman appreciated the Governor and the Deputy Governor for their support towards having seamless and comfortable hajj experiences for the pilgrims.
In his lecture, Chief Missioner Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Kano Branch, Sheikh Muhydeen Ajani Bello urged all intending pilgrims to be dedicated, shun any act of immorality and comport themselves in the Holy Land.
He added that there is a reward for those who are going for the pilgrimage purposely in accordance with the commandment of the Almighty Allah.
The cleric noted that intending pilgrims should not be wayward in their ways when in Makkah, they should be obedient, never argue and ensure that they make provisions for their households before their departure to the holy land”.
Sheikh Bello urged them to go to Hajj with good minds, good deeds, love of mankind and make their requests in the name of Allah and not doing otherwise.
