Governor ‘Seyi-Makinde led-administration has disbursed the travel allowances of Oyo pilgrims, who are in Medina for 2022 Hajj.
The Chairman of the State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing), Professor Sayed Malik disclosed this to newsmen at his Olodo Hajj Camp office.
Professor Malik said all the pilgrims who had earlier protested against half payments of the traveling allowances, have been paid by the board officials in Medina.
“We have paid the traveling allowances of the aggrieved pilgrims from Oyo State. Those who earlier received half payments have been paid their balances. We are no longer owing any of the aggrieved pilgrims in Saudi Arabia”, Professor Malik stated.
In addition to the assertion of the Chairman of the State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing), videos which show the pilgrims collecting their traveling allowances in Medina are also trending on social media, to confirm the payment of the pilgrims’ entitlements.
The Pilgrims Welfare Board boss assured that as soon as more money is made available by the Central Bank of Nigeria, the traveling allowances of others who are yet to be airlifted will be paid.
Meanwhile, Prof. Malik has also appealed to intending pilgrims waiting to be airlifted to the holy land to be patient, stating that arrangements are being made to ensure that they are transported to Saudi Arabia very soon.
“We have secured an airliner that we want to use to transport our intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. But the number of intending pilgrims that are on ground are not enough for the plane to take off. We have about 300 intending pilgrims at Olodo Hajj Camp but they are too small for the aircraft which has the capacity to carry more than 500 people.
“So, the pilots are seeking for more passengers to board the aircraft. As soon as they have enough passengers, most especially intending pilgrims from another state, our intending pilgrims will be airlifted to the Holy lands”, he explained.
The chairman further assured that efforts are being intensified to secure visas for the intending pilgrims, who are yet to get them.
