The Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (OGMPWB) has sought the continued support of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Ogun State Command on timely issuance of passports to pilgrims for a successful 2024 Hajj exercise.
In a release signed by the Press officer of the board, Lateefaht Ayoola on Friday, revealed that, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Dauda Salau, sought for the support during a visit to the Command office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the State capital.
The Executive Secretary, who intimated the command on the new Saudi Arabia policy on visa issuance, which would commence from Friday, March 1 to Monday, April 29, 2024, insisting that it would necessitate the Command to fast-track intending pilgrims’ passports in order to meet the deadline.
While appreciating NIS for its yearly support for the Board, he pointed out that the agency remains a key stakeholder in Hajj operations, assuring that other arrangements had been made to ensure a successful exercise.
Responding, the state Comptroller of NIS in the state, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Bosede said the agency understands the essence of collaboration with the Board, assuring that necessary effort would be made to forestall any hitch in the issuance of passports to intending pilgrims.
She implored prospective pilgrims to start processing their passports early to enable the Command accelerate the issuance.