Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has advised intending pilgrims who are to perform the 2024 Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia to avoid any act that can tarnish the image of the state and the country at large.
Makinde, while speaking on Wednesday, charged the 1,007 intending pilgrims to exhibit good behaviour, follow laid down rules and avoid any act capable of tarnishing the image of the state and the country.
The governor charged the pilgrims to focus on the main purpose of their travel to the holy land.
Makinde made these declarations during the farewell ceremony for intending pilgrims from the state.
The event, which was held in Ibadan, the state capital, was attended by the Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland, Sheikh Teilat Ayilara, and Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, among others.
Makinde, while addressing the intending pilgrims, also tasked the state’s Hajj officials not to compromise the welfare of the pilgrims.
He admonished them to ensure the safety of all pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
He said: “I am happy to be here this afternoon. We are supposed to be at the Hajj Camp in Olodo. The only reason we are here today is because we had to demolish the bridge that links Olodo but by the end of this week, one side will be open for vehicular movement. Before the 2025 Hajj, the two sides would have been opened and the road from Iwo Road to Olodo would have been completed. So, this is a make-shift arrangement. That of next year will be better.
“Also, the first time I went to Olodo, I said our pilgrims would be airlifted from the Ibadan Airport before I leave the seat of power. Yes, we have been at it and it’s been five years now. They have agreed to airlift from Ibadan but they said they would have the first stopover at Lagos for the processing of your documents, which negates my vision.
“My vision is for you to do all the processing here, airlift here and touch down in Saudi Arabia. We have done some of the things they requested we do at the airport. But the only thing left is for us to extend our runway by another 600 metres, install Instrument Landing System (ILS) and add another terminal. And the target is, within the next 18 months, these will be done.
“I want to use this opportunity to tell the officials involved in this Hajj mission that the welfare of our people cannot be compromised. So, you must look after every pilgrim from Oyo State.”