The Special Adviser to the Governor on Parastatals Monitoring Office (PMO) Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo (right) presenting a Parastatals Compendium to the Board Secretary, Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (LSMPWB), Imam AbdulHakeem Kosoko (left) during the PMO tour visit to the Board today 2nd February, 2022 .
Press Release
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Parastatal Monitoring Office (PMO) Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo has commended the Secretary and members of staff of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board for effectively and efficiently executing the Board’s statutory responsibilities over the years.
He gave the commendation on Wednesday, during a working visit to the Board, to carry out his oversight function of monitoring the activities of all the Parastatals and Agencies of the State Government.
Ayantayo revealed that the visit was in fulfilment of the directives of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to monitor the activities of all Agencies of Government in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda.
According to the Special Adviser, the monitoring was with a view to ascertaining the rate at which the Board has performed its statutory responsibilities, note the weaknesses and challenges and report back to the State Executive Council (SEC).
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While encouraging the staff to work assiduously towards retaining the State’s enviable status as the number one on Hajj and Umrah operations in Nigeria, he further announced that his office would be deploying the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) instrument to measure the Board’s activities. He also added that at least two members of staff would be trained on the KPI and would in-turn train others on the usage of the instrument for efficient service delivery.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Board Secretary, lmam AbdulHakeem Kosoko, thanked the Special Adviser and his entourage for the visit.
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Speaking on its mandate, he noted that the Board had not been able to carry out its statutory function for the past two years due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic ravaging the entire world.
He stated that there is presently a backlog of over 3,000 intending pilgrims of 2020/2021 sets in its hand for the forthcoming 2022 pilgrimage exercise which he said was still on hold until there is a green light from the Saudi Arabian authority concerning the cost, quota and other sundry issues.
Kosoko explained further that if the 2022 Hajj takes place at all, it would be a little bit expensive considering the current exchange rates and COVID-19 rules which would affect hotel accommodations, airline fare, amongst other conditions.
Speaking glowingly about the Board staff whom he described as indefatigable, dedicated and very committed to the ideals of the Agency, he assured his guests of his determination to place utmost priority to their welfare.
Expressing his fears about how to surpass the standard left behind by his predecessors, he said, “In the last 10 Hajj operations, Lagos State has always come first. With this kind of result, on assuming this office, I was so scared as to how I can surpass the standard”. He stressed that he had however made up his mind that if he could not surpass the standard he met on ground, he would definitely not lower it.
He sought the Special Adviser’s assistance over the inadequate office accommodation so that the staff could have enough space to perform their duties effectively and efficiently.
Going memory lane, he said the Lagos State House of Assembly Law that established the Board in 1967 was reviewed in 2013 to have a six member Board amongst which one was appointed as the Chairman for a three year tenure on part-time basis. He stressed further that as the Secretary and Accounting officer, he is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Board as well as implementing their directives on Hajj operation with the support of the staff.
Highlight of the visit was a tour of offices in the Board by the Special Adviser and his entourage.
Taofeek Lawal
Asst. Director (Public Affairs).
