Farewell Ceremony: Aiyedatiwa Urges 735 Intending Pilgrims to Pray for National Security
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has called on all 735 intending pilgrims to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to pray for the security of the nation.
Aiyedatiwa made the call while addressing the state’s intending pilgrims today, Thursday, 8th May, at the Muslim Welfare Board, Akure as he bade them farewell for the 2025 holy pilgrimage.
Represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters and Special Duties, Engr. Bola Taiwo, Aiyedatiwa urged the pilgrims to conduct themselves with discipline, humility, and responsibility throughout their spiritual journey to the Holy Land.
He advised them to abide by the rules and regulations of the Saudi authorities and to serve as exemplary ambassadors of the Sunshine State and Nigeria.
The governor expressed confidence in the pilgrims’ ability to represent the state with dignity and return with renewed spiritual strength and blessings. He wished them a safe journey and a hitch-free exercise.
The Chief Imams across the state—Alhaji Yunus Anola, Alhaji Abbas Abubakr, Alhaji AbdulHakeem Akorede—and the Grand Mufti of Ondo State, Alhaji Surajudeen Batuta, offered prayers for the intending pilgrims and urged them to obey the Chairman of the Muslim Welfare Board, Alhaji Zikrullah Adam Chandy, who will be leading the delegation.
The Imams, acknowledging the challenges of the pilgrimage, encouraged the intending pilgrims to focus on its spiritual benefits while emphasising the importance of forgiveness, unity, and shared purpose.
They also reminded the pilgrims to observe regular prayers (As-Salat), read the Holy Qur’an, and perform Al-Tawaf-the ritual of circling the sacred Kaaba-which are fundamental aspects of the pilgrimage.
Earlier, in his address, the Chairman of the State Muslim Welfare Board, Alhaji Zikrullah Adam Chandy, said the state has many intending pilgrims from outside Ondo due to the hospitality offered , such as welfare support, accommodation near the Haram, availability of local diets, and healthcare facilities for a better stay.
He disclosed that the state government sponsored ten people for the 2025 pilgrimage.
In a separate interview, the Secretary of the Muslim Welfare Board, Alhaji Omoniyi Mutiu, stated that Ondo is the only state that requested an increase in its Hajj slots to 735 this year, and that such allocation has been met since the beginning of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration.
