12th November, 2014
Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state, Southwest, Nigeria has ordered the refund of payment to intending pilgrims from the state, who could not perform the pilgrimage this year.
It was gathered that the governor made the directive in line with the current administrations rebuilding mission and to ensure fair play, equity and justice for unsuccessful pilgrims who missed out in the just concluded 2014 hajj exercise.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the Executive Secretary of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Sefiu Rasheed, copy which was made available to our correspondent in Abeokuta, the governor approved the refund of the sum of five thousand naira (N5,000), which was the required payment made for procurement of the forms.
Rasheed noted that the gesture was first of its kind in the history of management of hajj operations in the state, adding that, all unsuccessful pilgrims should visit the Board’s headquarters from Monday 17 November to Friday 5, December 2014 with relevant documents to verify their claims.
“Ogun state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has graciously approved the refund of the five thousand naira, been fees paid for forms by all unsuccessful applicants for the just concluded 2014 hajj exercise, due to his desire to ensure fair play justice and equity,” the statement read.
It also added that all unsuccessful applicants are advised to retrieve their initial deposits from the board coffers, as no reserved slots would be given to any would be pilgrims during the commencement of the 2015 exercise.
“All unsuccessful applicants for last hajj exercise who are yet to retrieve their initial deposit payments from the Board are advised to note that no special status would be accorded to any intending pilgrim in the forth coming 2015 exercise,” Rasheed concluded.