Pray for Economic Recovery, Aregbesola Tells Pilgrims

Abdulrofiu Agboola

The Governor of Osun state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has charged Osun state pilgrims to pray for Nigeria and the state, in particular, for rapid economic recovery and political peace while on pilgrimage to Mecca.

Aregbesola, who gave the charge on Wednesday August 3, 2016, during the farewell ceremony for the 2016 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia urged them to take greater advantage of this year’s pilgrimage to pray God for total liberation and breakthrough of Nigeria’s economy.

He stated that the economic hardship the country is facing requires the prayers of all and sundry, stressing that the situation at hand in the country will be a thing of the past through the intervention of God and sincerity of Nigerians.

According to the Governor, “Nigeria’s economic situation needs the prayers of all and sundry for us to survive this situation we are in today.

“I believe as you are going to the holy land, God will answer your prayers. So, I appeal to you to please remember Nigeria and the state of Osun in your prayers while you are in Saudi Arabia.

“With God all things are possible, we need to redirect our steps as a country and turn to God and be sincere as well. Nigeria can be great again”

Speaking on the Hajj operations, Ogbeni Aregbesola described the journey to the holy land as one of the strong pillars of Islam which every muslim should endevour to embark on, while urging them not to toil with any minute they will be spending at the holy land.

He saluted the effort of the 724 intending pilgrims for deciding to embark on the pilgrimage for this year despite the harsh economic situation facing the country.
Aregbesola said it goes a long way to show their commitment in seeking spiritual rebirth which the governor noted as one of the essence of embarking on the spiritual journey.

“I congratulate you for being able to embark on this journey of spiritual rebirth despite the harsh economic situation the country is facing.”

“I want you to maximize every minute of your spiritual journey to the holy land and pray for yourselves and the growth of Nigeria.

“The holy land of Mecca is a place where whatever is asked from God shall be granted. I implore you to make use of every minute of the period you will be spending there to seek the face of God.

“I urge you to always maintain the Omoluabi virture which the state of Osun is known for while you are at the holy land”. The governor stated.

In a goodwill message, the Southwest Commissioner of the National Hajj Commission, Imam Fua’ad Adeyemi noted that the organization of Hajj programmes in Osun is always commendable.

He explained that over the years Osun pilgrims have always stood out with good virtues while on the holy land, stressing that the pilgrims from Osun are always the cynosure of all eyes while at the holy land owing to their good characters.

“I’m always amazed at the organizational qualities of Osun pilgrims every year because they are always descent in all their approach.

“Osun pilgrims have always come out top among pilgrims from Nigeria every year and I commend the governor for this because it couldn’t have been possible if not for the effort of the governor”

Earlier in a welcome address, the Amir Hajj for Osun, Mallam Dikhrulah Hassan commended the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for the mature and organized manner which the Hajj programmes have taken in Osun.

He noted that the governor has ordered that the pilgrims who will be embarking on the 6th Hajj operations under his administration be given grade A treatment while at the holy land, while adding that the pilgrims will be given an electronic wrist band for easy identification and recognition.

The Amir Hajj who stated that the pilgrims from Osun are among the two states that will be leaving with the first batch for this year, urged them to always portray the Omoluabi virtues while at the holy land.

He said “this year’s Hajj is the sixth organized by the current administration of Ogbeni Aregbesola and you will agree with me that the coming on baord of the administration has changed the performance of Hajj for good in the state of Osun.

“As part of preparation, pilgrims’ education and enlightenment were organized for the intending pilgrims for purpose of enlightening and educating them on the nitty-gritty of Hajj exercise.

“I also need to stress that throughout the country, the state of Osun and Zamfara are the only two states that would first be airlifted and first to arrive back.

“Governor of the state need to be commended because we have benefited immensely in terms of encouragement and taking directive from towards a successful Hajj operations” the Amir Hajj stated”.