The Lagos State Government has constituted an ad-hoc committee for the 2026 Hajj exercise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
According to the Director Public Affairs of the Agency, Taofeek Lawal, the committee which is headed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters, Dr. Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe, was inaugurated by the Hon. Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode, at the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, on Wednesday.
While addressing members of the committee, Hon. Layode affirmed that their appointment was in recognition of their competence, dedication and the need to ensure successful planning, coordination, and execution of activities relating to the 2026 Hajj exercise.
He urged them to discharge their duties with utmost diligence, integrity, and commitment in line with the objectives of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.
According to him, the terms of reference of the committee include, but not limited to providing necessary support in logistics coordination, pilgrims’ welfare, accommodation, medical arrangements and any other assignments that may be directed from time to time.
While congratulating them, he emphasised that the appointment takes immediate effect and shall subsist for the duration of the 2026 Hajj exercise.
Responding on behalf of other members, the Chairman, Dr. Ahmad Jebe expressed his gratitude to the Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat and Hon. Commissioner for Home Affairs, for giving his committee the opportunity to serve the State.
He gave assurances that his members would not abuse the trust reposed in them. While promising his committee’s unwavering commitment towards achieving a successful exercise, he appealed for necessary supports from the Hon. Commissioner in order to make the assignment seamless.
He thereafter announced the composition of the sub-committees and their respective chairmen to include, Accommodation (Hon. Musliudeen Maiyegun); Welfare (Mr. Ajisegiri Ismail Ajibade); Manifest, Visa and Media (Hon. Waheed Lolade Shonibare) and Madinah/Muna and Arafat (Engr. Shakiru Ayinde Gafar).
Others are Dawah/Enlightenment (Prof. Kabir Paramole); Transport (Alh. Mojeed Sanni) and Luggage and weighing sub-committee (Alh. Yusuf Ara).
Meanwhile, Hon. Layode has stated that the airlifting of the 1,600 Lagos intending pilgrims will commence on Thursday, May 7 with the first flight of 345 intending pilgrims.
According to him, the exercise would continue with the second flight on Friday 8th; third flight on Sunday 10th; fourth on Tuesday 12th while the last flight is on Wednesday 13th of May, 2026. He said that the arrangements was in line with the schedule released by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
He also notified the committee that Flynas airline appointed by NAHCON to airlift the State’s pilgrims had agreed to increase the main luggage from 32kg to 46kg, stressing that each pilgrim would be given two 23kg bags for their main luggage this year while the hand luggage remains 8kg.