The Management of the Osun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has described the rumour making the rounds of poor feeding arrangement for the pilgrims in Saudi Arabia by the Board as totally baseless and unfounded.
The board declared its readiness at all times at ensuring that its Pilgrims continue to enjoy the best of life as they perform this year’s hajj.
In a statement issued by the Administrative Secretary of the Board, Mr ‘Bolaji Sanni on behalf of the Amir ul Hajj, Sheik Moruf Ishola described the rumour as completely fabricated by fifth columnists aimed at smearing the good reputation of the board and in particular the administration of Senator Ademola Adekeke which had earlier put all necessary arrangements in place to make this year’s hajj a success.
While recalling with satisfaction how the Osun state Pilgrims Welfare Board adequately facilitated the smooth journey of the Osun pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from Nigeria, the Board says the rumour making the rounds of poor feeding arrangement should be completely discountenanced by the public and in particular the people of Osun state whose relations are currently performing this year’s Hajj exercise in Makkah and Madinah .
According to Mr Bolaji Sanni , the alleged poor food being purportedly served the pilgrims was a political mischief intentionally fabricated by fifth columnists to wilfully disparage and malign the good reputation of the Board.
He ,however, emphasised that the board will not leave any stone unturned to correct such erroneous impression being created in the minds of the innocent public.
The Administrative Secretary of the Board therefore maintained that all the pilgrims are in good spirit in the holy land and doing well as they look forward to performing some of the last hajj rites very soon without any problem whatsoever.
To lay credence to his assertions,Mr Sanni recalled how the board since arrival in the holy lands of Makkah and Madinah arranged visitations to different historical sites, securing a good accommodation close to the Grand Mosque in Makkah for the pilgrims in addition to well qualified medical personnel attending to their needs in the holy land .
He ,consequently , reiterating the readiness of the board to continue to take adequate steps towards improving on a mandate given to it as contained in the farewell speech delivered by Osun state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke before the pilgrims left Osun State for the pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia,
Bolaji Sanni also recalled how Senator Adeleke directed that all necessary actions should be taken to fully address the concerns of the Osun State Pilgrims, which,according to him, the board has never for once been found wanting in complying with.
It would be recalled that few days ago there were reports making the rounds that Osun state pilgrims were among other pilgrims from other states in Nigeria staging a protest over poor quality of food being served them.
Consequent upon the development,Osun state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board officials alongside top delegation of Osun state government and Head of the Catering team for the service provider met to deliberate on the matter.
It noted at the meeting that the problem is not peculiar to Osun state pilgrims alone just as it also concluded necessary plans to change the caterers with immediate effect if no improvement is noticed henceforth.
Sanni therefore implored all the pilgrims to continue to have absolute confidence in the ability of Osun state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board to enjoy their stay in the holy land during the on going Hajj operations.
