SANWO-OLU URGES 2026 HAJJ PILGRIMS TO PRAY FOR NIGERIA’S PROSPERITY
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By; Ganiyat Sunmola
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on intending pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj exercise to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to pray for peace, unity, and prosperity in Lagos State and Nigeria during their spiritual journey.
According to a post on the Lagos State X handle on Thursday, the governor made the appeal during a one-day seminar organised by the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board at the Lagos Television Blue Roof in Ikeja, where preparations for the 2026 Hajj were reviewed.
He was represented by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mr Ibrahim Layode, who also serves as the Amir-ul-Hajj for the state.
Sanwo-Olu congratulated the intending pilgrims, describing their selection as a divine privilege.
He said, “You are among the few that Allah has chosen this year to answer His call to the Holy Land. Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, and it is a journey of faith, humility, and total submission to Allah.”
The governor reminded them that Hajj is not a leisure trip but a spiritual exercise that requires patience, discipline, and devotion.
“It is not a vacation. It is an act of worship that tests your patience, endurance, and brotherliness,” he added.
He specifically urged the pilgrims to remember Nigeria and Lagos State in their prayers, especially at significant spiritual moments such as the Day of Arafah.
“As you stand on the plains of Arafah and make your supplications, remember Lagos State and Nigeria. Pray for peace in our communities, security in our nation, and economic prosperity for our people,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu also encouraged prayers for national leaders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, asking that they be granted wisdom and strength to govern effectively.
He further advised the pilgrims to maintain discipline and serve as good ambassadors of Lagos State while in Saudi Arabia, warning them to respect local laws and avoid distractions.
“The way you conduct yourselves will speak for all of us. Be law-abiding, disciplined, and respectful of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s culture and laws,” he said.
He cautioned against political discussions, arguments, or any activity that could detract from the purpose of the pilgrimage, stressing that Hajj is solely for worship.
The governor also emphasized unity among pilgrims and encouraged them to support one another, especially the elderly and vulnerable.
The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mr Ibrahim Layode, announced that about 1,600 intending pilgrims are expected to participate in the 2026 Hajj from Lagos State, adding that the government has put in place welfare measures to ensure their comfort.
Earlier, the Chairman of the 2026 Hajj ad-hoc committee, Dr Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe, expressed appreciation to the state government for its support and assured that preparations were on track for a smooth exercise.
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