The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a civil society organisation (CSO), has asked some governors to renovate hajj transit camps in their states ahead of the 2025 pilgrimage.
In a statement on Wednesday, Ibrahim Muhammed, IHR’s national coordinator, said the appeal became necessary as some of the camps serving as temporary accommodation for intending pilgrims before their airlift to Saudi Arabia are in poor condition.
“It is common knowledge that intending pilgrims spend several days at the various hajj camps ahead of their airlift to Saudi Arabia, and information at our disposal indicates that some of the camps need urgent renovation to make them more comfortable,” he said.
He commended the governors of Bauchi, Adamawa, Kaduna, and Sokoto states, as well as the FCT minister, for carrying out renovations and modernisation of their hajj camps.
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He also acknowledged the Osun state government for its plan to build “a world-class” permanent hajj transit camp.
“In other hajj countries, pilgrims’ education and enlightenment sessions are usually held in hajj camps to allow pilgrims to experience familiarity and to also get acquainted with their first point of stay whenever hajj airlift begins,” Muhammed added.
He urged state governments to upgrade their hajj camps before the airlift, which is scheduled to begin in the last week of April.
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He added that beyond serving as transit camps, the facilities could also be used for commercial purposes, such as hotels and event centres, to generate revenue for the pilgrims’ welfare boards and the states.
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