As part of the strategies put in place towards providing quality service and smooth hajj administration, the Lagos State Government has formally released the names of 19 Schedule Officers for the Year 2020 operations.
The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi announced the names during a meeting with the management and staff of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, at the Old Secretariat, Ikeja.
He explained that the role of the officers is to coordinate, monitor and oversee the welfare of the intending pilgrims with a view to making them comfortable both in Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Commissioner encouraged all the schedule officers to show a high sense of responsibility by rendering selfless service to the intending pilgrims in their respective local governments.
Elegushi noted that the schedule officers were carefully selected amongst other equally capable staff of the Board, based on their diligence and competence, urging them not to abuse the privilege.
While warning the Coordinators against engaging in dubious activities such as extortion, exploitation, disrespect or exhibiting any other vices that may tarnish the enviable image and the reputation of Lagos State, Elegushi emphasised that anyone caught will be dealt with in accordance with the civil service rules.
He, however, urged the nominees to always be compassionate, accommodating and tolerant of the intending pilgrims for the short period of the assignment, stressing the need to show deference to the pilgrims and the Ulamas (Islamic Scholars) attached to them because without them there would be no Muslim Pilgrims Board or anybody to coordinate.
Speaking earlier, the Board Secretary, Mr. Raman Ishola explained that measures are in place to ensure that the intending pilgrims have a befitting accommodation, transportation to and from the different historic sites in the Holy Land, quality food supply and many other benefits that will make their stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia remarkable.
The appointed schedule officers and their Local Governments include; Mr. Tajudeen Anifowoshe (Agege); Mrs. Basirat Adegbesan (Ajeromi-Ifelodun); Mr. Ahmed Kotun (Alimosho); Mr. Semiu Shasi (Amuwo Odofin); Mrs. Monsurat Azeez (Apapa); Mr. Rasheed Bankole (Badagry/Ojo); Mr. Sambakiu Ogunnaike (Epe) and Mr. Lateef Gbajabiamila (Eti-Osa).
Others are Mrs. Sinat Ibrahim (Ifako Ijaiye); Mrs. Muibat Banjoko (Ikeja); Mrs. Mulikat Shittu (Ikorodu); Mr. Ganiyu Animashaun (Kosofe); Mrs. Hamzat Ibrahim (Lagos Island); Mr. Wahab Awere (Lagos Mainland); Mrs. Suliat Odejayi (Mushin); Mr. Abubakar Aliu (Oshodi Isolo); Mrs. Khadijat Oluwa (Shomolu); Mrs. Muibat Babalola (Surulere) while Mrs. Abibat Aruna would coordinate the Board.
In a related development, the Board paid a courtesy visit to the Lagos Regional office of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) at Alausa, Ikeja with a view to strengthening the already established a relationship between the two stakeholders.
Elegushi, who led the delegation, appealed to the NIMC management to assist the intending pilgrims in securing the compulsory National Identification Number (NIN), saying that without the number, Nigeria Immigration Service will not issue the enhanced E-Passport for overseas travel.
While responding, the Head of the Lagos region of NIMC, Mrs. Olufunmilola Opesanwo assured the State of maximum support and cooperation to Lagos intending pilgrims seeking the NIN number.
She added that the NIMC would create a stand in the premises of the Muslim Pilgrims Board for intending pilgrims.
The Commissioner was accompanied by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Abdullahi Jebe; Board Secretary, Mr. Rahman Ishola and Head of Operations, Alh. Kamardeen Zubair among others.
TL/TMS/OS
