The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has advised 2022 intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state and country as they embark on the holy pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

According to a statement on Monday, Hamzat gave the advice while speaking at the one-day seminar and special prayers organised for the intending pilgrims by the Lagos State Pilgrims Welfare Board in Ikeja.

He said, “You are ambassadors of Lagos State and Nigeria. When you get to the holy land, let them see that you are of good conduct and that you understand the religion of Islam and you should not fight; focus on the spiritual benefits you stand to gain from the pilgrimage.

“The state government has made every necessary arrangement to ensure that all intending pilgrims have a hitch-free and successful pilgrimage to and from the holy land and we have created and inaugurated various sub-committees to make the pilgrimage easy which pilgrims can direct their inquiries to.”

The state Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mr Olanrewaju Elegushi, stated that intending pilgrims across the state have been adequately enlightened on the exercise.

“Intending pilgrims have been given adequate knowledge of the hajj exercise by the state ulamah during the weekly lectures in all local government areas and these lectures were digitalised to help intending pilgrims view the live performance of the hajj rites before embarking on the journey,” he said.