The Lagos State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board said it will start paying the 2023 Hajj pilgrims the sum of N223 million.
The Board Secretary, Saheed Onipede, in a statement by the Public Affairs Officer, Taofeek Lawal, said the money was a refund for services not rendered by the Saudi Arabian authorities during the pilgrimage exercise.
According to him, each of the 3,651 pilgrims/beneficiaries is entitled to a sum of N61,080, adding that the refund which was facilitated by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) became necessary to assuage the pilgrims over the inconveniences they experienced during the exercise.
The Board’s scribe stressed that for the beneficiaries to collect the refund, some requirements must be fulfilled, reports The Nation.
He said: “The beneficiaries who are still alive (I’m Alive pilgrims) are to supply an application letter, photocopies of the Data page of International Passport, Nigeria/Saudi Immigration stamped page (in-bound and out-bound), and Account details.
“For the deceased pilgrims, their families are expected to produce the death certificate of the deceased pilgrim, particulars of the next of kin as indicated in the Hajj form, affidavit as well as Nigeria/Saudi Immigration stamped page (in-bound and out-bound).”
While noting the concerns and apprehension from some quarters over the refund, Onipede stated that the state was committed to ensuring that each of the beneficiaries gets the refund in a seamless and stress-free manner, adding that as the Centre of Excellence, the Lagos State would not deny its pilgrims their rights and privileges in any way.
