Date: 2012-03-05

For a peaceful and harmonious society, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has said that religious adherents should be one another’s keepers.

Speaking while receiving the 2011 hajj report, the governor assured the people of equity and justice, promising that the government would not relent in its commitment to the provision of quality services to all pilgrims from the state.

"Religion is not only about peace with our creator, but also about harmony with neighbors, irrespective of religious leanings. For a greater and better Nigeria, we all must learn to be agents of peace, as no religion preaches violence," he said.

The governor, who described hajj as a spiritual exercise, informed the board members that efforts had reached an advanced stage to transform the board into a commission in line with the directives of the National Hajji Commission.

In order to enhance better service delivery, Governor Ahmed said that the government would also improve on the welfare package for the staff while in the holy land.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the state Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board, Imam Usman Sulaiman Olosun, said a male pilgrim died during the 2011 hajj, out of the 2,704 pilgrims that performed the exercise.