The Edo State Government through the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (EDSMPWB) is partnering with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to develop a digital database of all Muslims in the state.
The Chairman, EDSMPWB, Sheik lbrahim Oyarekhua, who received members of the board of NAHCON to the board’s office in Benin City, said the government will continue to prioritize the welfare and wellbeing of Edo Muslims and other residents.
NAHCON is on an inspection tour of the board’s facilities to ascertain the state’s preparedness for the forthcoming 2022 Hajj exercise to Saudi Arabia.
According to him, the board through the Edo State Government has ensured that the required facilities are on ground to qualify the state for the renewal of the 2022 Hajj.
Oyarekhua noted: “We are fully prepared to ensure that the board meets up the requirements that would qualify it for the forthcoming 2022 spiritual exercise to Saudi Arabia,” he noted.
The state government has helped us to provide all the needed facilities. There has been a robust relationship between the board and the state government under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki.”
He, however, noted that the board would continue to do its best to work in line with the guidelines of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to achieve a successful inspection for the renewal of operational license for the 2022 Hajj exercise.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of NAHCON, Mustapha Gada Uji said they have embarked on the inspection exercise to carry out the oversight functions of the commission, which include the supervision, issuance of license, and regulation of the activities of Muslim boards across the state.
Mustapha, who had expressed satisfaction with the standard of the facilities, said the commission had decided to begin with Edo State in the South-South region because of up-to-date facilities and the number of Muslim faithful domiciled in the area.
Among the areas inspected by the team were the computer section, conference hall, and the mosque where the Muslim faithful perform their spiritual exercise, among others.
