The Kwara Slate Muslim Pilgrims welfare Board has refuted the wide spead rumour that it hus sold the 2012 llujj forms given to the slate by National I la[j Commission of NigeriafNAJ ICON) (o private agencies in hulk.

The Vice Chairman of the board, Alhaji Abdulvvahab Toyin Onipe who said this in llorin, the state capital during the screening of the 2012 pilgrims explained that the rumour had no iota of (ruth, describing it as the handiwork of saboteurs.

Me argued that the purpose of asking intending pilgrims to obtain their forms in banks was to guide against any shoddy arrangement and prevent the
pilgrims from discharging of their money.

Alhuji Onipe. who is the chairman of the screening committee added that the screening was meant to ascertain authenticity of the forms sold.

Shedding light on the whole process, the executive secretary of the board, I laj in Fatimoh Abolare Jimoh told newsmen that sale of 2012 pilgrims forms commenced in some banks in the slate capital off March I 5 this year, stressing that to the board's utmost surprise, the forms finished The following day.

These according lo the executive secretary generated several hues among the public, hence today's screening that would last for five days.

She also spoke of the intention of the board to bring perpetrators to book and vowed any one caught would be decisively dealt with accordingly.

She added that any pilgrim caught without the board's receipt would not be allowed to participate in this year's pilgrimage.

Hajia Jimoh therefore warned intending pilgrims against purchasing their forms from unauthorized agencies, saying that any fowl play detected would he addressed appropriately.

The executive sccrcliiry also spoke of (he hoard iviuliness lo unravel the misery behind (he sale of the forms within Iwo days saying that any erring individuals would face the government's full warth.

By Ahmed Ajiboye (The Herald)