The Oyo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and the Nigeria Immigration Service are collaborating to provide an efficient service to intending pilgrims from the state.
A statement from the board’s Public Relations Officer, Raji K. K, said the collaboration was agreed on when the new NIS comptroller, Muhammed Tukur Umar, received a delegation in Ibadan on Monday.
The collaboration would ensure a speedy processing of traveling arrangements for Muslim faithful’s embarking on holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia this year.
Umar, who was deployed to Ibadan in February this year, assured the Board of the readiness of his Command at ensuring a speedy and hitch free processing of international passports for the needy intending pilgrims from the state.
“I have ordered my men to fast track the passport issuance and renewal processes for intending pilgrims in need of such services to enable them partake in this year’s hajj exercise. For this purpose, a new passport office has been opened in Ibadan,” he said.
Umar, however, requested for the list of the intending pilgrims to enable their screening be carried out in Ibadan.
This, according to him, will allow for quick clearance of the pilgrims at the immigration post at the airport.
In his response, the Chairman of State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Prof. Sayed Tunde Malik, assured the Immigration Service Boss of the cooperation of his Board.
“I will ensure that the list of the pilgrims is compiled and forwarded to you as soon as possible,” he promised.
Malik was accompanied on the visit by the Secretary of the Board, Alhaja Khadijat Olanipekun and other management of the Board.
