This was disclosed by the Chairman, Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare’s Board (Muslim Wing), Sheikh Hashim Atere, after a meeting with the chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikirullahi Kunle Hassan, in Abuja on Tuesday.

Atere had earlier attended a meeting organised by the management of NAHCON for the chief executives of state pilgrims welfare agencies, boards and commissions to review the 2023 Hajj operations, then chart a way forward to 2024 at Hajj House, Abuja.

He stated that the board had commenced preparations for the 2024 Hajj in earnest and in a few days plans would be rolled out for intending pilgrims with the state.

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While reiterating the board’s commitment to the welfare of pilgrims from the state, the Saudi-trained Islamic scholar promised that the board under his watch would record a tremendous success for the spiritual exercise.

Sheikh Hashim Atere hinted that a lot of intending pilgrims with the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare’s Board had been depositing for next year’s Hajj.

He therefore enjoined others who wished to embark on the exercise with the board to start depositing to any of the designated bank accounts of the board, for convenience, pending the announcement of the fare by NACHON.

Atere assured that there would not be any favouritism or discrimination, as the exercise would totally be first come – first served.

Recall that NAHCON in a statement released early on Tuesday predicted that next year Hajj could be expensive and advised all Nigerians intending to travel for the exercise to save at least N4.5 million pending when the commission would announce a final Hajj fare.

The national body stated that the cost increment was due to the recent changes in the foreign exchange window that had seen the dollar exchanged at an average of N750 to N800.

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He gave the warning during the fifth annual Shina Peller/NUJ Ramadan lecture/Iftar held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

The annual lecture/Iftar was sponsored by the Ayedero of Yoruba land, Hon. Shina Peller.

Peller, member House of Representatives, represents Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa) Federal Constituency.

The lecture entitled, “Inescapable Rewards of Kept and Unkept Promises in Public Offices: The Islamic Perspective”, was well attended by journalists and politicians from across different religious groups.

Atere who was the guest speaker at the event, warned elected public officers to always adhere to the bond between them and the electorate, stating that Almighty God frowns so much at unkept promises.

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He added that every promise made was a debt that must be redeemed, noting that Allah considered not fulfilling promises as a great sin.

According to him, “Our public office holders should always know that they were elected based on promises made to the people in the presence of God. Whatever promise made by elected president, governor, senator, House of Representatives member, House of Assembly, Chairman or Councilor is made with God.

“There is always reward for every promise kept and consequences for every unkept promise. Always ensure you keep all promises made.”

The Islamic scholar who said the people were not also exempted from keeping their promises, as Almighty Allah makes it compulsory for all, lauded Peller for his good  deeds and steadfastness.

He prayed that Almighty Allah would grant his heart’s desires soon.

The Accord federal lawmaker described the topic of the lecture as very interesting and timely, stating that it came at a critical time when Nigerians were about to witness transition in power.

“It is a very crucial topic that dwells on great leadership quality that can bring the needed transformation and make Nigeria an enviable country when leaders imbibe it,” he said.

He added that a good leader “is one who makes promise to people and fulfil it after grabbing such power,” insisting that “a good leader genuinely loves his or her people when he or she fulfils promises and makes his or her subjects major priority.”

“As a leader, you can’t claim that you are a good Muslim if you fail to honour the promises you made to the people you are leading

“Allah considers not fulfilling promises a great sin. Allah emphasizes this in the Holy Quran, Chapter 16, verse 2 and 3,” he said.

Peller explained why he contested the Senate seat instead of returning to the House of Representatives for another term.

According to him, his action was in fulfilment of a promise made to his people during the 2019 general election campaigns in the spirit of equity and fairness among the four local governments in the constituency.

He said,  “I chose not to return to the House for the second term in fulfillment of the promise made. For the sake of integrity, my decision was based on my consideration of other local governments within my constituency – Kajola and Iwajowa – which had not presented a representative for almost 16 years now.”

The state NUJ Chairman, Alhaji Ademola Babalola, thanked Peller for his consistency in sponsoring the programme and unflinching support to the union.

He said the lecture was apt and timely ahead of the inauguration of newly elected public of holders at the just concluded general elections.

He added that the lecture educated elected public office holders and other Nigerians on the need to keep every promise made at any given period of time, stressing that “this lecture highlighted the rewards inherent in keeping and not keeping promises as stated in the Holy Quran.”

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