Ogun State pilgrims have been charged to use the opportunity of their stay at the holy land of Mecca to pray for themselves, leaders in the State, and the Country as a whole.

The Amir Hajj and Leader of the Ogun State contingent to Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Samsudeen Apelogun, made this known during the visit of the second batch of pilgrims from the State to historical sites in Mecca.

"As pilgrims pray for yourselves here, we advise you to pray for all our leaders in Nigeria, particularly the Ogun State Governor, His Excellency, Governor Dapo Abiodun, may Almighty Allah continue to guide him to fulfill all his electoral promises and strengthen him to do more for the people of the State," he said.

Speaking, Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Ajibola Taiwo, while addressing the pilgrims at Mount Arafat emphasised the significance of the visit to the Mount ahead of the day of Arafat.

The Executive Secretary revealed that the place may be too congested and difficult to climb on the day of Arafat due to the number of pilgrims that would visit the place across the world.

 Also, the Chairman of the Ad-hoc committee on Hajj, Alhaji Iziaq Oloungbebe, who doubles as the  Consultant to the Ogun State Governor on Islamic Affairs, Sheik Iskeel Lawal, warned pilgrims not to leave their tents except for major spiritual exercises and that must be done with the guidance and supervision of the State coordinators.

 Dangers associated with unauthorised movement during the busy period of the Hajj exercise were highlighted and pilgrims from the State were advised to be safety conscious at all times.

Earlier, the Head of Operations/Religion of the Board, Imam Buhari Inakoju while narrating stories behind the historical sites said Mount Nur, known as Jabbal Nur, was the place Prophet Muhammad received his first revelation from Allah while Mount Toor, otherwise known as Jabbal Toor, was where he took refuge,  adding that both mountains played important roles in Islamic history and teachings, especially on faith, refuge, and divine guidance.