Be Good Ambassadors, Avoid Discrimination -Makinde Charges 1,007 Oyo Intending Pilgrims

…as he advises Pilgrims to Saudi Arabia to promote unity and pray for state’s peace

Oyo state Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde has advised intending Pilgrims to be good Ambassadors of the state and avoid discriminating against each other at while observing Hajj at the Holy ground.

The Governor gave the advice at a farewell ceremony for the state One thousand and seven intending Pilgrims to Saudi Arabia held at Exhibition ground, BCOS, Ile-Akede, Orita Basorun, Ibadan.

Governor Makinde said that his government is committed to ensure that every inhabitants of the state get what is due to them.

He urged the officials of the state Hajj to ensure they look after the welfare of every intending Pilgrims in the state.

Makinde stated that “Our people’s welfare cannot be compromise, you must look after the welfare of every Pilgrims from Oyo state.

“For those that says that I have not been doing this for the Muslim, I will join issues with them because what they want is attention and I will not respond to them.

“I am committed to ensure that what is due to everybody, they will get it.

“The intending Pilgrims, I have three advise for you, you will have mercy journey, we will not loose anyone to this Hajj.

“You will need to represent the state very well, you must be good Ambassadors of oyo state.

“If anyone says, please help me take this envelope to help take it to Saudi Arabia, don’t collect it from them because we have different types of people, do not collect any load from a strangers.

“Secondly, Don’t get Mecca and spending frivolously before that ensure you offer prayers in the Holy ground before any other things.

“Finally, you must look after yourself, do not discriminate and says that the person is from Oke-Ogun and we that come Oyo we don’t have anything to do with you or those that came from Ibadan, it seems they are the only one that enjoyed in this government, we are not having anything to do with them when we get to the Holy ground.

“Ensure you pray for yourself, the government, for us and your family

Earlier in his welcome address, The Chairman, Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim wing), Sheikh Wahab Atere assured the intending Pilgrims to cater for their welfare and make them comfortable while observing Hajj at the Holy ground.

Atere assured that “We have made efforts to get hotels for the Pilgrims and catered for their welfare.

“We have secured three hotels for the intending Pilgrims and we have two with us and before the end of today we will secure the last hotel.

“We will like to make request, now we do not have bus to convey us to program outside, we seek for your help to give us bus for our outing.

“We promise to continue to support and please you all the time and for the success of this government, he said.

In his goodwill message, the former Chairman, Oyo state Pilgrims Welfare Board, Professor Kamil Olosho advice the intending Pilgrims to pray for the peace of the state and pray for themselves and their families.

Dignitaries at the event: The grand Chief Imam of Oyo State, Sheikh Abdulganiy Agbotomokekere, Former President CCII Chief Bayo Oyero, Member of Governor’s Advisory Council, Chief Nureni Akanbi, Deputy Speaker of Oyo state, Mohammed Fadeyi and others.