The Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has declared that all aspiring pilgrims must have a polio vaccination for the year 2025.
The statement was made on Tuesday during a press conference held at the board’s offices in Bauchi by Executive Secretary Abdulrahman Idris.
He said that six weeks prior to their trip, all 2,200 planned pilgrims who registered with the board for this year’s holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia must have polio vaccinations.
Idris clarified that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria issued the decision as part of steps to protect the health and safety of Nigerian pilgrims, but he warned that any pilgrim who did not receive the vaccination would not be permitted to fly.
“NAHCON has also closed this year’s Hajj registration for intending pilgrims and all the necessary travel documents, including luggage, uniforms, bags and other essential items will be in place in the next two weeks.”
He urged those who have not submitted their forms with a white background copy of their passport photographs to do so immediately, to obtain a visa from Saudi Arabia.
The chairman equally urged pilgrims to support the board to ensure a successful Hajj exercise.
