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Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has admonished pilgrims traveling from the state to Saudi Arabia for Hajj not to disgrace the country, obey the laws of the land and ensure that they do not take anything forbidden by the Saudi Arabian authorities into the country.
Abiodun stated this at Obas Complex, Oke – Mosan, Abeokuta, during a farewell ceremony held in honour of the intending Hajj pilgrims. He said the pilgrims, as ambassadors, should desist from all illegal and immoral act that could tarnish the image of the state and the country, urging them to strictly follow all the laid down rules of the host country.
He said: “As ambassadors of our dear state and Nigeria, you should desist from all illegal and immoral act that could tarnish the image of our dear state and country, obey the laws of the land, do not take into the Holy land anything that they do not approve of and when you get there, do not do anything that they do not permit to be done in their land.”
The governor also disclosed that his administration is poised to promote the spiritual development of the people and ensure that the people co- exist peacefuly, saying that his administration believed that the peaceful co-existence would in turn lead to the social economic development of the state.
” Our administration is committed to promoting the spiritual development of our people and ensuring a peaceful coexistence among all of us, we believe that these peaceful coexistence will lead to the social economic development of our dear state, which in turn will help us in building our future together,” the governor stated.
Abiodun, who urged the pilgrims to allow the lessons of the holy pilgrimage abide with them after they come back, added that his administration would continue to create a positive atmosphere for the people to contribute their quota to the successful implementation of building “our future together agenda.”
Speaking, the South West Commissioner, National Hajj Commission, Imam Fuad Adeyemi thanked the governor for his support towards ensuring a hitch free pilgrimage for Muslims in the state. He urged the pilgrims especially women to desist from walking alone and at odd hours when they get to the Holy land.
Also, the Amir- Ul- Hajj, Sheik Abdul Yekin Parakoyi and the state chairman, 2019 Hajj Adhoc Committee,Sheik Mufutau Majekodunmi thanked the governor for his support at ensuring a pleasant journey for the state pilgrims, urging them to behave properly and show the good traits of an Ogun State indigene in the Holy land.
Two of the pilgrims, Alhaji Yaya Oyekanmi Akinlade and Alhaja Taiwo Awosika who spoke on behalf of the other pilgrims thanked the governor for making the process easy, promising not to disgrace the state and country, adding that the pilgrims would adhere to the laws of Saudi Arabia when in Holy land.