In a heartfelt plea, Hon. Dhikirulahi Adedeji Olajide, the representative for Ibadan North West/South West federal constituency in the Nigerian House of Representatives, has demanded swift action to address the distressing experiences encountered by nearly 100,000 Nigerian pilgrims during the recently concluded Muslim pilgrimage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Hon. Olajide, who personally participated in the pilgrimage, expressed deep concern over the hardships faced by his fellow countrymen and women and called upon the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) to take immediate measures to address the situation.
During a motion presented on Wednesday, Hon. Olajide emphasized the need for an investigation into the difficulties faced by Nigerian pilgrims during the 2023 Hajj. He highlighted that the pilgrimage involved a significant number of over 95,000 Nigerian pilgrims, making it one of the largest turnouts in the history of Nigeria. Referring to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he stressed that the primary purpose of the government is to ensure the security and welfare of its people.
The lawmaker expressed disappointment with the current state of affairs, pointing out that many pilgrims were still stranded in Saudi Arabia despite the completion of the hajj rites. Moreover, he raised concerns about the inadequate value received for the substantial amount paid by the pilgrims for the pilgrimage. Hon. Olajide strongly criticized certain operators for their unprofessional conduct, which included failing to provide proper services such as accommodation, feeding, and transportation to the pilgrims.
He further highlighted distressing issues, such as the absence of emergency medical services for sick pilgrims at the Minna camp and the unjustifiable delays and complications faced by pilgrims in obtaining their passports and flights. With the intent of addressing these grievances, Hon. Olajide urged the Committee on Pilgrim Affairs to conduct a thorough investigation into the anomalies and report their findings to the House within four weeks. He also emphasized the importance of implementing the committee’s recommendations through the Committee on Legislative Compliance.
The plight of Nigerian pilgrims during the 2023 Hajj has ignited widespread concern, prompting urgent calls for action to rectify the situation. As Hon. Olajide’s motion gains traction, it is hoped that the necessary measures will be taken to ensure the welfare and well-being of Nigerian pilgrims in future hajj exercises, as well as provide appropriate redress for those affected by the recent hardships.
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