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Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has advised Muslims embarking on the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage to fully participate in the spiritual exercise and be good ambassadors of the State.
Fubara who also subsidised the cost of the 2024 Hajj for the Pilgrims in the state, told them to count themselves privileged to be part of the exercise and be sure to derive the expected spiritual upliftment and well-being.
He gave the advice at the Port Harcourt International Airport in Omagwa, Ikwerre Local Government Area where the Pilgrims were gathered while awaiting to be airlifted on Tuesday.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Nelson Chukwudi on Tuesday evening.
The Governor, who also extended the gesture to pilgrims of other states in the South-South and South-East zones, urged them to keep in mind the many challenges experienced in the country so that they can pray fervently for the enthronement of a better Rivers State and Nigeria.
He said, “We are here to see your faces and wish you well. And to also say, you are privileged to embark on this spiritual journey. What you owe the country and the State is prayers for a better State.
“We believe strongly that you are going to be very great ambassadors of the State, and that you will not do anything to bring any form of shame to us too.
“So, I want to join the Hajj Commission, and everyone who has supported me in one way or the other to make this a reality, to say journey mercies to you. Come back with blessings that will foster development and growth in our dear country.”
In his speech, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abdulrazaq Deprieye, explained that there are 47 pilgrims sponsored by the state government and a private pilgrim, who are ready for airlifting.
Alhaji Deprieye noted that without the support of Governor Fubara and the Almighty God, the exercise would not have been possible.
He said, “We have 47 pilgrims sponsored by Rivers State Government and one private pilgrim who will be embarking on this year’s Hajj. Your Excellency, we don’t know what to say. What you’ve done for us, it is only prayers that we will use to say thank you and to also be peaceful and law-abiding citizens.
“Your Excellency, indeed, the Muslim Umar in the State are happy for what you have done for the Muslim faithful. Right from inception as Governor of this State, the welfare of Muslims in this State has been paramount to you.
“Your Excellency, we had issues with Hajj subsidy, but you are the first Governor to address it and fulfil your promise. You are also the first Governor in this country, who paid the Hajj dues before the deadline. It’s something we need to say ‘thank you’, and God bless you.”
Deprieye said the pilgrims before him would be leaving the shores of Nigeria later in the evening to perform the Hajj rites for this year, 2024.
While returning from the airport, Fubara made a detour to visit the scene of a Tuesday morning accident that involved a gas tanker that fell over a car on the Obiri-Ikwerre Interchange Flyover and exploded.
The governor, who was conducted around the scene by his Special Adviser on Environmental Sanitation, Obi Ohia, was briefed on how fire service men responded promptly to contain the situation from escalation.
At the time of the visit, charred remains of the tanker were seen at the accident location, with a heavy-duty crane attempting to tow it off the road to a safer place.
