Before the advent of the present government hajj exercise had almost become jinxed in Oyo State.  In fact, it reached the peak when in 2005/2006 for the very first time; none of the intending pilgrims with the State Board was able to perform the hajj!  Fortunately however, the brief stint of Governor Alao-Akala in 2006 (11 months) redeemed the situation when the 2005 unable (numbering 700) made it to hajj, along with fresh batch of 800, now totaling 1500.

It is on record that His Excellency, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala then made it possible for the said 2005 unable by paying the differential of increase in hajj fare for 2006/2007, running into several millions of naira.

Also since 2006, his administration has institutionalized State sponsorship of intending pilgrims to hajj.  This gesture, which was last extended to Muslims by Lam Adesina administration, was taken farther by allowing all the Local Governments in the State to sponsor five each.

By 2008 hajj exercise, local government sponsorship was not only increased to seven per local government, State sponsorship also moved up from 200 to 250!

It is quite heartwarming to mention that the stranded luggage (in Saudi Arabia) of 2006 Pilgrims, occasioned by the failure of the Federal Government selected Airlines for that year, was eventually shipped down to Nigeria in March, 2008, courtesy of the determination and financial commitment of Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala.

This feat was quite unprecedented.

Again, it is gratifying to note that Oyo State has never had it so good, as far as hajj operation is concerned.  Before the birth of this Government all available records indicated that the highest figure of intending pilgrims of Oyo State stood at 700, for the past 15 years or thereabout.  This situation changed for the better, when in 2006, the figure was 800 (aside from the 700 inherited 2005 unable).  From there it moved up to 1400 in 2007 with the last figure (2008) increasing to 1510.

At this juncture, the fact must be stated that, all the above feats were made possible solely by the positive disposition of His Excellency, Otunba (Dr.) Adebayo Alao-Akala to all activities of the Board in particular and issues pertaining to the overall well being of the State pilgrims and the Muslim community in general. A very auspicious instance is the fact that since the coming into being of this administration, Governor Akala has personally made it a point of duty ensuring consistent and prompt facilitation of the State's allocated slots in Abuja through the provision of soft loan to the Board, running into several millions of naira, thus ensuring easy remittance of payment to National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in Abuja.

For 2009 Hajj alone, a sum of two hundred and fifty million naira  (N250,000,000.00) was provided for in the Approved Estimates to take care of the aforementioned soft loan.  Though, this soft loan is always paid back into the coffers of the State Government, however, this level of facilitation is second to none in Oyo State since inception.

His Excellency's uncommon desire to engender a very smooth, hitch-free and successful Hajj operation in Oyo State since he came into office is always being matched by the level of his unusual personal involvement in coordination during the peak period of Hajj operation.  Yet, he would never interfere with the day-to-day activities of the Board.

Another classical demonstration of the determination of the present government in Oyo State of ensuring Hajj without tears is exemplified by the philanthropic gesture of Her Excellency, the wife of the State Governor, since 2007, to Oyo State pilgrims.  For the past two Hajj exercises, she has been providing the entire State pilgrims with the usual uniform popularly called “Ma so mi nu ni Arafa”.  In fact, it is on record that for the first time in the history of Hajj operation in Oyo State, the money paid by the pilgrims for the uniform was refunded back to them after returning back from Hajj. This is a record breaker!

Mention must equally be made of the fact that about eight years after, it was Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala's government that bought a brand new vehicle (G.M.C. Jeep) in 2008 for the smooth running of the Board activities in Saudi Arabia.  This is aside from the brand new 4 wheel drive Toyota Hilux, Double Cabin released in September, 2008 for the use of the Board here in Nigeria.

All these are meant to facilitate the Board and by extension guarantee a stress-free, hitch-less hajj exercise for the State pilgrims, at both ends.

Already, efforts are on by this administration to embark on the construction of ultra modern administration block at the Olodo hajj camp.  This is aside from the proposed extension of the Camp hall, new hostels, purchase of additional set of computers (4 units) with all accessories, as well as replacement of the aged power generating set with a brand new and bigger one, to mention just a few.  All these have been graciously provided for by His Excellency in the 2009 Approved Estimates.

Another cheering news is that up till 2005 Oyo State Board used to be rated amongst the worst by the Directorate of Pilgrims Affairs (DPA) and the Presidential Committee on Hajj (PCH) both now defunct.  However, from 2006, things changed for the better.  Today, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) not only rated Oyo State amongst the very best, as mentioned by NAHCON Chairman himself before the gathering of the State Pilgrims in Makkah during 2008 Hajj, even the National Forum of State Boards Chairmen and Secretaries unanimously elected Oyo State as its Secretary.  Today, the State also represents the entire Southern States numbering seventeen in three most vital Committees of NAHCON, namely, Aviation, Accommodation and Transportation.  Since the inception of Hajj operation in Nigeria, no southern state has ever enjoyed that status and level of recognition.  But then, all these are made possible by the disposition, interest and unparalleled commitment of His Excellency, Otunba (Dr) Adebayo Alao-Akala to Hajj operation and the unwavering confidence he has reposed in this Board. 

Definitely, the administration of Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, to all intent and purpose, is one with a difference and Midas touch!  Truly, Oga is OYATO indeed! And there is no doubt that God being his Helper, the best is yet to be seen from him.  May Allah (S.W.T.) continue to guard and guide aright our hardworking, focused, able, purposeful, lucky and very amiable Governor.  Amen.

		A cross-section of pilgrims going to the Holy land, Mecca
Alhaji Lukman Busari: Chairman, Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing)