Press Release
Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (OGMPWB) has called for prompt vaccination and fast-tracking of the issuance of E-Vaccination Yellow card, so as to allow intending pilgrims partake in yearly hajj exercise.
The Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Salau Dauda made the call during a visit to the Agency’s Office at the Federal Secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, saying the federal agency, Port Health Services is one of the key agencies of government in yearly Hajj operation, calling for necessary support for improved services delivery on the Hajj preliminary protocols.
Salau explained that the need for the prompt issuance of the E-Vaccination Yellow card became necessary due to the slots allocated by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to the State which has increased to 1,139 compared to 512 the State got last year.
“We have commenced the 2023 Hajj exercise. Unlike last year, when we had post COVID-19 operations to test-run how hajj activities would be after the pandemic. This year’s operation is quite different from that of last year, Saudi Arabia authority has opened the door to all cadres of people, no upper age limit, but there is minimum age limit of 12 years old, once you are physically fit, mentally sound, emotionally stable, have the capacity to do it and in possession of E-Yellow fever vaccination card, such person is good to go”, he said.
Responding, the Director of Port Health Services in the State, Mr. Emmanuel Taiwo appreciated the Board for the visit, assuring that all the anomalies during 2022 Hajj would be corrected and improved on.
Mr. Emmanuel noted that issuing the E-Yellow fever Vaccination card is the exclusive right of the federal government for the purpose of accountability, adding that the Service has the mandate to only monitor, promising the Board the maximum support for hitch-free hajj exercise.
He said, “This kind of synergy should continue. Call me anytime, I will answer you, and all my staff are also available and I want to assure you that everything will go accordingly, and I really commend the Board for the success recorded during the 2022 Hajj”.
Nofisat Alapoti & Gafar Alabi
Press Officers, OGSMPWB.
