Lagos Bans 65-Year Old From Hajj

The Lagos State Government has banned Muslim men and women above 65 years old from taking part in this year’s pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Alhaji Babatunde Balogun disclosed this at the weekend, saying that the order to ban men and women from 65 years old and above from taking part in hajj operation henceforth came from the Federal Government.

He said the reason for the ban might be as a result of the stressful nature of hajj and that people of such age might not have the strength to undergo all the rites to be performed in the holy land.

He, however, said such people could take part in the Lesser Hajj, which is less stressful and could accommodate old people.

The commissioner added that pregnant women have also been banned from taking part in any hajj operation to Saudi Arabia.

Balogun also disclosed that at least 4,000 pilgrims were expected to take part in this year’s pilgrimage to the holy land, saying that in preparation for the hajj, 6,000 intending pilgrims had purchased forms for the exercise and were awaiting screening.

According to him, the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Board had arranged a pre-visit trip to Saudi Arabia to ensure adequate arrangement for this year’s Lesser Hajj and Hajj operations.

He said that some of the modalities put in place by the board to ensure a hitch-free exercise included payment of initial deposit to the National Hajj Commission, assisting pilgrims with the processing and procurement of their international passports and securing required number of bed spaces for pilgrims.

On the Christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the commissioner disclosed that 1,500 pilgrims participated in the pilgrimage last year, saying this was the highest in the history of organised Christian pilgrimages in the state and the federation at large.

On fire incidence in Lagos, the commissioner disclosed that 1,125 fire and rescue calls were received and responded to by the fire service in the last one year.

The breakdown: fire calls – 976; rescue calls – 51; collapsed buildings – 9 and false calls –  89.

Balogun disclosed that the ministry generated N16.7 million into the coffers of the state government from various safety inspections carried out by the fire service.

Also, the commissioner said that the ministry received 49 applications from foreigners who wanted to naturalized, adding that 47 of them appeared for interview while 37 were considered and recommended to the federal government for approval.