By: Muhammad Ahmad Musa
A wave of integrity is sweeping through the Nigerian Pilgrims’ community from Nigeria to Makkah, as reports of lost, recovered and returned monies continue to emerge, setting a positive trend during this year’s Hajj period.
In a notable incident, the Deputy Coordinator of Makkah Operations, Mr. Alidu Shutti, presented three Nigerian pilgrims to the Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofi’u O. Elegushi, for commendation after they voluntarily returned two lost purses belonging to fellow pilgrims, a Nigerian and an Egyptian national.
One of the honest pilgrims, Alhaji Bello Shu’aibu Ajani from Ede Local Government Area of Osun State, discovered a purse containing 200 Saudi Riyals (approximately $53.31). Demonstrating integrity, he handed the item to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) through the Special Assistant on Islamic Affairs to the Oyo State Government, Alhaji Abdrasheed Abdul Azeez.
In a separate but similar gesture, two other Nigerian pilgrims, Alhaji Isiaka Eniola Olaosun from Kwara State and Alhaji Bakare Momodu from Edo State, both found a lost purse. They promptly contacted NAHCON’s Makkah Media Officer, followed the office location descriptions and personally delivered the two purses to the Deputy Coordinator, who then presented them to Commissioner Elegushi.
Upon receiving the recovered items, Prince Elegushi praised the pilgrims for their exceptional honesty and described them as “True Ambassadors of Nigeria.” He prayed for their wellbeing and noted, “You will make the owners of these monies happy; may Allah make you happy also.”
The Egyptian Pilgrim’s recovered monies are in three denominations:
4,590 Egyptian Pounds (~$92.24)
65 Saudi Riyals (~$17.33)
5 Euros (~$5.68)
The Commissioner instructed that these funds be forwarded to the Egyptian Embassy for return to their rightful owner, the Egyptian pilgrim Mustafa Ramadhan Mustafa Ali.
Meanwhile, the 200 Saudi Riyals will be returned to Nigerian pilgrim Shukurah Olawunmi Yusuf from the FCT Pilgrims Welfare Board.
In recognition of their actions, Prince Elegushi also directed that recommendation letters be issued for all the reporting pilgrims, as well as the Oyo State S.A. Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Abdrasheed Abdul Azeez.
This incident is part of a growing trend this year, as the Nigerian pilgrims’ community has been widely praised for repeatedly returning lost monetary items, reinforcing a powerful message of integrity and goodwill throughout the Hajj season.