Oyo Hajj chairman arrives Saudi Arabia ahead of 2024 preparation

Oyo Hajj chairman arrives Saudi Arabia ahead of 2024 preparation

..Expresses gratitude to Oyo students over warm reception

Ahead of the 2024 hajj preparation, the Chairman, Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare’s Board (Muslim Wing), Sheikh Hashim AbdulWahab Olamide Atere has arrived Saudi Arabia.

Sheikh Atere, who landed at Jeddah International Airport on Saturday, was warmly received by Oyo state students who are studying in Makkah.

While expressing his gratitude for the show of love displayed by the students, Sheikh Atere said that his prompt arrival to the Holy land was to ensure a seamless Hajj exercise for Oyo state intending pilgrims.

According to him, part of the preparation is to organize and coordinate the reception, accommodation, feeding and transportation, health and general welfare of pilgrims from Oyo state to the Holy land throughout the Hajj period.

Describing his advanced movement as the foundation on which the success of this year’s Hajj will be built, the Islamic scholar added that if it is very strong, then the rest of the structure will be solid.

The chairman however noted that the Oyo State Government recently announced an extension of the deadline for the payment of the 2024 Hajj to January 31st 2024 in an effort to guarantee that no intending pilgrim is left out of the upcoming spiritual Hajj exercise.

According to him, the extension would provide yet another excellent opportunity for individuals who were unable to finish their payment by the previously scheduled deadline of December 31 to make up for it, and for those who have not yet made any payments to do so by the end of this month.

Sheikh Hashim urged those who also intended to perform this year’s Hajj exercise but were unable to pay in full at this time to first demonstrate their commitment to the Board with the goal of completing the payment before the month ended.

He added that intending pilgrims could still make their payment in installments.

Atere said: “The Hajj payment may be made to any of the Board’s designated bank accounts, either directly and physically to the banks or through the bank apps after which you have to bring your tellers/ print-out receipts for government receipts.

“So, I am urging intending pilgrims to visit either the Board’s Olodo office or its annex, within the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) premises, Ile-Akede, Oríta-Bashorun Ibadan, for further inquiries.”

The Saudi trained Islamic Scholar affirmed that Hajj pilgrims from Oyo state would enjoy better services as Governor Seyi Makinde is giving the needed backing to ensure that the State Pilgrims Welfare’s Board delivered on its mandate.