Date: 2018-04-23

The Kwara State Pilgrims Welfare Board has said it is targeting 2,200 intending pilgrims to perform the 2018 hajj exercise through the board.

The Executive Secretary of the board, Alhaji Mohammed Tunde-Jimoh, disclosed this in Ilorin while speaking at a special prayer to usher-in the preparation for 2018 hajj.

The programme which was attended by hundreds of 2018 intending Pilgrims also featured enlightenment and sensitization for the Pilgrims.

The Executive Secretary disclosed further that over one thousand intending pilgrims have so far registered with the board.

He said the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria had extended the period of registration of intending pilgrims till the end of April to enable the board accommodate more intending pilgrims.

The Executive Secretary added that the board had also concluded arrangement on the accommodation of intending pilgrims both in Mecca and Madina.

Tunde-Jimoh explained that the law banning pregnant women from performing hajj through the board was still in force, warning that any pregnant women should not even approach the board for registration.

The Executive Secretary said the board was still expecting directive from National Hajj Commission on the issue of biometric registration for all intending pilgrims.

He added that 2018 hajj fee would soon be announced by the board in collaboration with the National Hajj Commission as that would determine the balance of those who had paid part of their hajj fees.

He urged intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state and Nigeria at large while in the holy land by avoiding any act that could dent the image of the country.

Tunde-Jimoh warned serious penalty would be melted on anybody that violate the laws of Nigeria and Saudi Arabia during the exercise.

"Intending Pilgrims from the state must shun all negative tendencies of drag the name of the state and country in a mud" the Executive Secretary warned. The special Prayer for the successful conduct of 2018 Hajj which was led by the Chief lmam of llorin Alhaji Mohammed Bashir featured recitation of several portions from the glorious Quran.