The Ogun State Muslim Council has showered praise on the state’s Amir ul‑Hajj, Prince Adebayo Apelogun, for graciously providing supplementary cash gifts to pilgrims and bolstering their welfare during the 2025 Hajj exercise.
In a heartfelt statement, Alhaji Kamaldeen Akintunde, the Council’s Secretary-General, commended the Amir-ul-Hajj and Governor Dapo Abiodun for stepping in to cover the shortfall in the pilgrims’ Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), which was affected by fluctuating foreign exchange rates. Thanks to their intervention, the pilgrims from Ogun, numbering 934, received an additional N119.6 million to ensure they received the full $500 travel grant from NAHCON .
The Council described the donation as “a gesture that eased [the] affairs of pilgrims in the Holy Land and enhanced the smooth performance of Hajj rites,” adding that it exemplified “Islamic principles of tolerance, compassion and kind‑heartedness” . Pilgrims were urged to honour the goodwill shown by maintaining decorum and abiding by Saudi laws, preserving both the dignity of their faith and Nigeria’s global image .
This support by the state leadership capped off a year of notable commitment to Hajj pilgrims. Earlier this season, the Ogun State Government officially appointed Prince Apelogun as Amir ul‑Hajj and constituted welfare committees to oversee a seamless pilgrimage experience for their constituents .
The generous backing from Gov. Abiodun and Amir ul‑Hajj Apelogun reflects a continued dedication to religious welfare and underscores a model of effective public‑private stewardship in managing Hajj pilgrim affairs.
