The National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) chairman, Alhaji Zikrullah, Kunle Hassan, has assured that the commission will explore every opportunity to deepen the already cordial relationship with Oyo State.
The NAHCON boss gave the assurance during his courtesy visit to the Director-General, Oyo State Liaison Office, Abuja and Lagos, Wale Ajani, at the Oyo House in Abuja on Thursday September 22, 2022.
Alhaji Zikrullah, who expressed joy over Ajani’s strategic visits to federal government departments, ministries, agencies (MDAs), said that he was eager to meet with the governor’s aide to seek for ways of deepening the already cordial relationship with the state.
He noted that the pacesetter state had gained more prominence in terms of presence among federal MDAs following Ajani’s various strategic visits to seek for ways to bring more federal presence to it.
Commending the state pilgrims for the 2022 Hajj, the NAHCON boss added that the commission was willing and ready to support the state further in terms of pilgrims welfare.
He also gave kudos to Governor Seyi Makinde for placing high premium on the welfare and wellbeing of pilgrims, particularly the residents.
Responding, Ajani expressed appreciation to the NAHCON Chairman for honouring Governor Makinde, which manifested in his unscheduled visit to Oyo House in Abuja.
Also appreciating NAHCON for being proactive in its mandate and being responsive to the wellbeing of pilgrims in the country, Ajani appealed for more robust collaboration between it and Oyo government through the pilgrim’s welfare board and National Hajj Commission.
Listed among the support expected from the commission by Ajani are hitch-free Hajj process for intending pilgrims as well as more pilgrimage slots for the state indigenes in the next Hajj season which would commence soon.
“Sir, you are doing a great job for this nation through the National Hajj Commission, and your success story spans beyond Abuja to every state of the federation.
“Like Oliver twist, we will like to appeal for more slots to our people in Oyo State so that we can have the opportunity as a state to have our people perform one of the five pillars of Islam in the Holy land even as the season fast approaches.” Ajani said.
The Chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah, in his reaction, assured Ajani and Oyo State government of his readiness to partner with it, assuring it of more opportunities to the indigenes who he described as law abiding in the Holy land.