The Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has set aside two weeks for the collection of Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA) for year 2017 intending pilgrims.
This was announced recently by the Executive Secretary of the Board, Mr. Muftau Okoya in his office while answering questions from journalists.
Stressing further, he said that the two weeks for the BTA falls within 29th May to 9th June, 2017. He said, ‘’this will enable the intending pilgrims convert their naira currencies to dollars in anticipation of their traveling to perform this year hajj and also reduce the stress and burden attached to the exchange of dollars.
According to him, pilgrims will be given the opportunity to exchange a maximum of N244, 000 for $800 at the official rate of N305.00 to a dollar as B.T.A for this year hajj. He therefore, urges intending pilgrims to take advantage of this period as dollar is more expensive at the parallel market.
Mr. Okoya also informed journalists that NAHCON has directed that all intending pilgrims from Nigeria must possess a National Identity Card which has been putting a lot of stress on the intending pilgrims.
“National Identity Card has been made compulsory as part of required documents for this year hajj by NAHCON. It has not been easy getting the National Identity Card, so we have made arrangements with the National Identity Card Management Commission (NIMC) to set up a Centre on the premises of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board from Monday, 5th June, 2017 to make the registration process easier and faster for intending pilgrims”.
“Muslims should fast, pray, sacrifice their time and money during the Ramadan period in order to get the full reward of the month and for the quick recovery of the country from the present economic recession”, he said.
He thanked the Lagos State governor Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode for his continuous moral and financial supports during hajj exercises. He also commended the governor for his new innovations, inclusive governance and commissioning of new projects to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Lagos State.
Meanwhile, he disclosed that Ramadan /pre Hajj Lectures have been scheduled to hold on the 19th and 20th at the Old Secretariat Central Mosque to sensitize intending pilgrims on the journey ahead of them.
He explained further that Agege, Ajeromi, Apapa, Alimosho, Amuwo, Badagry, Epe, Eti-Osa and Kosofe will be on the 19th June while Ikeja, Ifako Ijaiye, Ikorodu, Lagos Mainland, Mushin, Lagos Island, Oshodi/Isolo, Surulere and Shomolu will be on the 2oth June, 2017. Intending pilgrims are implored to be physically present as it is mandatory for them to attend.
DosunmuJamiu
Head Public Affairs Unit (LSMPWB)
3rd June, 2017.