The Nigeria Immigration Service, Oyo State Command has expressed its readiness to work with the State Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board to ensure speedy processing of traveling arrangements for Muslim faithfuls embarking on holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia this year.
The new Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Oyo State Command, Mr Muhammed Tukur Umar, disclosed this on Monday while playing host to the delegation of the State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing) in his office at Agodi Gate, Ibadan.
Mr. Umar, who was deployed to Ibadan in February this year, assured the Board of the readiness of his Command at ensuring a speedy and hitch-free processing of international passports for the needy intending pilgrims from the state.
“I have ordered my men to fast track the passport issuance and renewal processes for intending pilgrims in need of such services to enable them partake in this year’s hajj exercise. For this purpose, a new passport office has been opened in Ibadan,” he said.
The Ibadan Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service Boss, however, requested for the list of the intending pilgrims to enable their screening be carried out in Ibadan.
This, according to the Immigration Service boss, will allow for quick clearance of the pilgrims at the immigration post at the airport.
In his response, the Chairman of State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Professor Sayed Tunde Malik, who led the visiting delegation, assured the Immigration Service Boss of the cooperation of his Board.
“I will ensure that the list of the pilgrims are compiled and forwarded to you as soon as possible,” he promised.
The Chairman of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board was accompanied on the visit by the Secretary of the Board, Alhaja Khadijat Olanipekun and media crew of the Board.
