The Chairman, Oyo State Pilgrim Welfare Board (Muslim Wing), Prof. Sayed Malik has regretted that not less than 150 intending pilgrims from Oyo State will not perform the 2022 Hajj, over visa denial by Saudi authorities. Oyo State governor approved refund.
He disclosed while addressing newsmen on Monday, in Ibadan.
According to him, the denial of visa to the affected intending pilgrims by the Saudi authority on the 11th hour, was based on recommendation of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON.
He explained that 629 out of 43,000 slots given to Nigeria was allocated to Oyo State to perform 2022 Hajj, despite that over 1,000 Muslims have already registered to perform the hajj.
“To take care of the shortfall, we in Oyo State Pilgrim Welfare Board requested for additional slots from NAHCON.
“And this was granted, as additional 150 slots were given to Oyo State, thereby increasing the State’s slots from 629 to 779.
“Based on its correspondence with NAHCON, Oyo State Pilgrim Welfare Board made preparation for 779 pilgrims.
“But the state’s slot was reduced to 629 few days before the pilgrims were scheduled to go to holy lands.
“The board hereby regret that about 150 intending pilgrims from the state could not perform this year’s hajj,” he said.
The chairman recalled that the holy exercise did not take place for two years as there was no pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina in 2020 and 2021 due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.
He explained that the resumption of Hajj in 2022 was characterised by a sharp increase in number of intending pilgrims, who wanted to embark on the Holy pilgrimage.
Malik, however, said that Governor ‘Seyi Makinde had approved the payment of full funds to whoever among the affected people, intended to collect back their money.