Intending Muslim pilgrims in Taraba state have been cautioned against carrying contraband items to the Holy Land in Saudi Arabia.
Giving the warning in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba state on Sunday while bidding them farewell, the state Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, urged them to strictly abide by all the rules of the country.
“You should abide by all the rules and regulations of Saudi Arabia and should not carry any contraband items if you really want to perform your religious duties as prescribed by Allah.” Kefas cautioned.
Emphasizing that his administration provided all the needed resources to the pilgrims while in the camp, more of such gestures, he said, would be replicated to them by the government while in the holy land.
“It gives me great pleasure to stand before you today to deliver my farewell speech to you. It is indeed a great honour to part with my people who are on a spiritual journey to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”He said.
The governor who announced that he will make sure that the Board provides the pilgrims with the minimal comfort they desire while in the camp including Medical facilities to look after their health, said the state government has put in place resources that will ensure hitch-free pilgrimage.
According to him, “Taraba State Government has appointed for you a powerful delegation and people with impeccable characters as your Amirul Hajj Team under the leadership of Dr Zubairu Hammangabdo to look after your welfare in conjunction with the officials of the pilgrim’s Board.
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The Government, as also made known by him “has appointed Twenty-one Officials including a Medical Team with enough funds to purchase drugs in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia to look after your health.”
Kefas who further disclosed that he has placed great importance on religion, said no fewer than one hundred and Seventeen have been sponsored by the government to perform this year’s Hajj despite the lean financial resources being experienced by the state
Begging them to be good ambassadors of the State and the nation at large while in the Holy Land, the need for them to
pray fervently for the Nigerian nation and its leaders for peace and tranquillity to reign in the land, which he believed has become necessary.
“You should encourage peaceful coexistence between the two religions of Islam and Christianity as we are all created by one God and we are sure of going to him at the end.”
