Lagos State Government says it will airlift 1,862 for the 2024 Hajj, even as the state noted that Israel is safe for pilgrimage.

The state Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ibrahim Layode, noted this on Wednesday in Alausa, Ikeja, during the 2024 Ministerial Press Briefing to mark the first year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's second term in office. 

He said total number of 3,655 Muslim pilgrims went on Hajj in 2023.

In his address, he said: “While in the Holy Land during the Christian pilgrimage, the Israel-Hamas war broke out; thus, the second batch of the Christian pilgrims were not able to make the trip. To the glory of God, the whole 310 pilgrims returned home safe and sound, no death or absconded."

Reeling out the achievements of the Ministry in the year under review, Layode said that during the Easter and Ramadan period, the Lagos State government on March 29, 2024, organised Combined Special Prayers for Nigeria and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Commissioner added that the event was attended by the Governor Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, past deputy governors, serving legislators at the National Assembly, members of the State Executive Council, religious leaders, other top government functionaries, among others.

He pointed out that 2024 Ramadan Tafsir, which marked the 25th year anniversary of the Lagos State Ramadan Tafsir, was celebrated with all past commissioners and permanent secretaries. 

The Commissioner noted that during the period of the Ramadan fast, over 50,000 food packs and drinks were distributed to public servants in all MDAs across the state to break their fast.

Layode said that during the Lent/Easter celebration, which is an anticipated spiritual event when Christians fast, pray and engage in acts of self-discipline and purification, the ministry facilitated the distribution of gift items and over 50,000 food packs as means of showing kindness (palliatives) to the teeming fasting Christians across MDAs in the state.

Layode commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for also extending the gesture of distributing gift items to religious leaders in the state to celebrate the Easter festival.

Speaking on the International Tolerance Day, which is celebrated annually on the 16th November as declared by the United Nations, he said that due to the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos, the state adopted the day to promote religious tolerance and develop the accommodative mindset of individuals.

To commemorate the day, the Commissioner noted that religious leaders, scholars and professionals alike were invited to discuss chosen topical issues that border on tolerance. 

The list of participants, he added, cut across students, youth, religious organisations, among others.