By Ibrahim Obansa, Lokoja
Kogi state Hajj commission yesterday commenced the screening of 916 intending pilgrim with a charge to them to conduct themselves in accordance with the laws of the Saudi authorities.
Speaking at the commencement of the screening in Okene, the chairman of the commission, Alhaji Sadiq Muhammad Rabiu, urged all intending pilgrims to be of good ambassadors of the state and Nigeria.
According to him, the screening is to ascertained the readiness of those who intend to perform the pilgrimage, saying that the exercise is to ascertain their travelling documents, their status as a muslim and their health.
“We want to be sure that those who wants to perform the Hajj have completed their payments, they are good muslims and to be sure that they are in good health.
“Most of them do not know their health status. Some may be hypertensive or diabetic. Our medical team needs to know and prepare for such cases” he maintained
The chairman also noted said that all necessary arrangements have been put in place for pilgrims to have a hitch free hajj operation this year.
Alhaji Rabiu particularly warned pilgrims against carrying kola nuts and drugs alongside while embarking on the pilgrimage.
The Chairman, announced that the Commission has gone step further to produce audio-visual enlightenment messages in major indigenous languages in the state to ensure all categories of intending pilgrims are well enlightened before embarking on hajj.
According to him the screening will be carried out in the other two senatorial districts of the state, which is west and central.
