HAJJ 2017- Lagos Announces Date for Collection of BTA

Hajj Reporters

The Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has set aside two weeks for the collection of Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA) for year 2017 intending pilgrims.

 This was announced by the Executive Secretary of the Board, Mr. Muftau Okoya in his office while answering questions from journalists on Monday. 

He said the two weeks for the BTA falls within 29th May to 9th June, 2017. 

He also said, ‘’this will enable the intending pilgrims  convert their naira currencies to dollars in anticipation of their traveling to perform this year's  hajj and also reduce the stress and burden attached to the exchange of dollars".

According to him, pilgrims will be given the opportunity to exchange a maximum of N244, 000 for $800 at the official rate of N305.00 to a dollar as B.T.A. 

He therefore, urged intending pilgrims to take advantage of this period because the dollar is more expensive at the parallel market.

Mr. Okoya also informed journalists that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has directed that all intending pilgrims from Nigeria must possess a National Identity Card which has been putting a lot of stress on the intending pilgrims. 

"National Identity Card has been made compulsory as part of required documents for this year hajj by NAHCON. It has not been easy getting the National Identity Card, 

"so we have made arrangements with the National Identity Card Management Commission (NIMC) to set up a Centre on the premises of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board from Monday, 5th June, 2017 to make the registration process easier and faster for intending pilgrims”.

 “Muslims should fast, pray, sacrifice their time and money during the Ramadan period in order

to get the full reward of the month and for the quick recovery of the country from the present economic recession”, he said.

He  thanked the Lagos State governor Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode for his continuous moral and financial supports during hajj exercises. He also commended the governor for his new innovations, inclusive governance and commissioning of new projects to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Lagos State.

Pre Hajj lecture date fixed

Meanwhile, the Muslim Pilgrims board boss also disclosed that the annual Ramadan /pre Hajj Lectures have been scheduled to hold on the 19th and 20th of this month at the Old Secretariat Central Mosque to sensitize intending pilgrims on the journey ahead of them.

He explained further that while lectures for   Agege, Ajeromi, Apapa, Alimosho, Amuwo, Badagry, Epe, Eti-Osa and Kosofe local governments will hold on the 19th June , that of  Ikeja, Ifako Ijaiye, Ikorodu, Lagos Mainland, Mushin, Lagos Island, Oshodi/Isolo, Surulere and Shomolu will be on the 2oth June, 2017. 

Intending pilgrims are implored to be physically present as it is mandatory for them to attend.