The FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello has warned all those selected as officials of the 2016 pilgrimage from the FCT to be prepared to serve or drop their International Passports now.
He gave this warning, when he met with the entire contingent selected to serve in this years’ Hajj in Makkah/Madinah, Saudi Arabia at the Permanent Hajj Camp, Bassan Jiwa, Abuja.
Bello insisted that the essence of their selection is for them to go there purely to serve the pilgrims, as they are not pilgrims themselves, although they may take advantage of being there to equally perform hajj.
The Minister stressed that their being there is for the care and well-being of the pilgrims; adding that their job should be focused on that primary assignment first and foremost.
According to him, the government took time to select them for different purposes to carry out tasks like medical, media, welfare as well as operations amongst others.
He enjoined the officials to live above board to justify the investment and confidence reposed in them; noting that when they serve for the sake of Allah, there is huge reward from the Almighty awaiting them.
Bello emphasized that the FCT Administration decided to organize the meeting to remind them of the expectations of the government from them towards to pilgrims because the officials are not pilgrims.
The Minister also inspected all the facilities at the Hajj Camp and directed the FCT Pilgrims Welfare Board officials to further clean up the environment as the Camp is expected not to serve FCT Pilgrims alone, but contingents from Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states as well.
The Director of FCT Pilgrims Welfare Board, Malam Bashir Muhammad thanked the Minister for coming to remind them of the expectations of the officials.
He assured that the Camp would be highly maintained to ensure that all pilgrims get the best treatment.
Muhammad remarked that the Board has also embarked on public enlightenment to compliment what is being done by the National Hajj Commission to avoid the re-occurrence of stampede in the Holy Land.
