10th October, 2013
Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, southwest Nigeria, has given each pilgrim from the state in Saudi Arabia 200 riyals (about N8,600).
The monetary gift for all the pilgrims is to assist them alleviate the challenges of feeding during their four day stay inside the Minna camp in the city of Mecca.
While giving the money on behalf of the governor to the pilgrims, a member of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Sheik Iskieel Lawal, described Amosun as godfearing and a man of his words.
He enjoined the pilgrims to reciprocate the kind gesture of the governor by ensuring that they remain morally upright throughout the exercise and to continue to offer prayers for the success of the programmes and policies of the present administration.
Two of the beneficiaries of the governor’s largesse, Alhaji Hamza Akanji and Rasheed Ibrahim expressed their appreciation over the good gesture of the governor.
Female pilgrims, Alhaja Adijat Mohammodu and Adijat Bakare, also described the gesture as novel, adding that the move will go a long way in reducing the financial stress associated with carrying out the full Hajj rites at the Minna camp.