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Why Many Nigerian Pilgrims Fell Ill During Hajj — Official

Published

2 years ago

July 6, 2023

A member of the Ogun State Adhoc Committee on 2023 Hajj and the Chairman of the sub-committee on Hajj, Tunde Oladunjoye, has explained why many Nigerian pilgrims fell ill during Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

Oladunjoye, who attributed the sickness of pilgrims during the exercise to many factors, said it was the first exercise after the Kingdom of Saudi lift all COVID-19 protocols.

No fewer than 14 pilgrims died during this year’s Hajj. Giving the breakdown on Sunday in Makkah during the post-Arafat review session, the head of the Nigerian medical team for the pilgrimage, Dr Usman Galadima, said seven pilgrims died during the pre-Arafat period.

He listed the casualties to include: Plateau (1), Kaduna (2), Osun (2), Borno (1), Yobe (1), FCT (1), Benue (1) and Lagos (1), while private tour operators recorded three deaths.

Galadima said during the Muna-Arafat period, four pilgrims died at Arafat and two at Mina.

Also, The PUNCH reports on Wednesday that a 58-year-old female Kano Pilgrim, Hadiza Ismai’il, passed away while performing Hajj in Mecca.

But speaking with The PUNCH on Wednesday, Oladunjoye said exposure to harsh weather and thousands of people at the same time were part of what aggravated the pilgrims health conditions.

“Let me state generally that this year’s hajj, according to the Saudi authorities, witnessed the highest number of pilgrims in the history of hajj. Why? It is the first hajj after the total relaxation of Covid 19 protocols. A lot of people who could not come since 2020 participated this year.

“Additionally, this year has probably the hottest weather condition with outside temperatures ranging from 41% to 51%.

“So the weather is part of it; the change of environment. You can also not rule out the psychological effect of people in a new environment, people who have never seen beyond 1,000 people as a crowd now see about one million together. So, a lot of factors contributed,” Oladunjoye, who spoke with our correspondent on Wednesday, said.

On measures to prevent reoccurrence, he said Ogun State had emplaced stringent medical checks since 2019.

“In Ogun State, we embark on stringent medical checks and our pilgrims can affirm this. It is a practice that has been enhanced since 2019 when Prince Dapo Abiodun took over as governor of Ogun State. I have been a member of the committee since then.

“We have been strict and stringent and we engage in regular seminars for the pilgrims before departure and while on pilgrimage we organise daily lectures,” he added.

When asked if intending pilgrims may be denied the opportunity to perform the religious rites if found unfit after medical checks, he said, “What the injunction on pilgrimage states is that it is for those who can afford it and those who are fit.”

News

Out-of-school: Bauchi Education Ministry Takes ‘Back To School’ Campaign To Markets

Published

3 hours ago

October 15, 2025

Editor

The Bauchi State Ministry of Education has launched a sensitization campaign on the importance of education across selected market places in the state.

The campaign aims to encourage school enrolment and showcase the infrastructural facilities provided by the Bauchi state government to ensure a conducive environment for learning and teaching in the state.

Speaking during the flag off of the campaign at Gadan-Maiwa Community, Dr. Mohammed Lawal, the state’s Commissioner for Education, emphasized that the marketplaces are ideal locations to promote education, as it is a hub of activity where people gather to buy and sell.

He highlighted the various infrastructural facilities provided by the government, which he said included the mega schools, provision of qualified teachers, and educational materials to woo parents to enroll their wards into school.

The Commissioner noted that the state has made significant progress in reducing the number of out-of-school children.

Lawal stated that the government has implemented a Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme to support the education of girl children, which he said, has recorded significant success.

He therefore urged parents to take advantage of the government’s efforts and send their children to school.

The commissioner also commended Governor Bala Mohammed for his commitment to education and reducing the number of out-of-school children in the state.

On their part, the village head of Gadan-Maiwa, Safiyanu Ahmed, and the Chairman of Gadan-Maiwa motor Park, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar, lauded the government’s initiative and urged parents to support the effort.

The duo also appealed for more teachers to be employed to improve education in the state.

News

How My Fiancée kept Me From Temptations – Singer Spyro

Published

8 hours ago

October 15, 2025

Editor

Nigerian singer, Oludipe Oluwasanmi David, popularly known as Spyro, has revealed that his fiancée, Janet Atom, keeps him him grounded and away from temptations.

The ‘Who’s Your Guy’ crooner shared that before meeting his fiancée he was “tempted” by ladies, especially in Lekki.

Hailing his fiancée as his “Jesus baddie,” he appreciated her for changing his life.

The singer captioned a picture of his fiancée via Instagram; “Eiii God! My very own Jesus baddie @_callme_njure.

“Thank you again for saving me from Lekki girls o, na me know wettin my eyes see.”

Recall that Spyro recently engaged Janet Atom. He disclosed that he met her at a nightclub while announcing their engagement in September.

News

Drama In Abuja Hotel As BBNaija Star, Phyna Creates Scene Over alleged N200,000 Dispute [VIDEO]

Published

8 hours ago

October 15, 2025

Editor

Former Big Brother Naija winner, Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, was reportedly involved in a heated altercation at a hotel in Abuja following an alleged N200,000 disagreement.

According to eyewitness accounts, the confrontation began in the early hours of Tuesday inside Phyna’s hotel room in Abuja, before spilling into the lobby, attracting the attention of guests and staff.

Sources claimed the dispute stemmed from an unsettled financial issue involving N200,000, which quickly escalated into a shouting match.

The argument reportedly intensified when neither party was willing to back down, leading to pushing and chaos within the hotel premises.

Eyewitnesses further alleged that the situation worsened after others connected to the individuals involved joined the confrontation, turning the verbal exchange into a physical clash.

Security personnel and police officers were eventually called in to restore order, using teargas to disperse the crowd.

The incident comes shortly after Phyna returned to the public eye following a brief break to mourn the death of her sister, who died in an accident involving a Dangote truck.

Watch video:

https://x.com/i/status/1978198954014629890