Irked by the extreme weather condition in Saudi Arabia, Nigerian pilgrims have been advised against unnecessary exposure to sun as they perform the 2016 Hajj exercise in the Holy Land.

The pilgrims were also advised to observe personal hygiene, eating habit and other important health issues especially at Medina, Makkah, Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa.

The call was made during the kick-off of enlightenment lecture in Makkah to Nigerian pilgrims, by Kaduna-based volunteer journalists, Garba Muhammad, Chairman of Kaduna Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Nasiru Yakubu Birnin Yero, Reporter Voice of America (VOA) Hausa Service.

It was gathered that, in the past, Hajj exercise in Mina, some pilgrims cultivated the habit of eating food next to refuse bins. So is the situation currently at pilgrims accommodations in Medina and Makkah, where pilgrims eat from overnight food vendors which sources of hygiene cannot be guaranteed.

They called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to introduce Nigerian Kitchen in all state accommodations as observed in other countries’ pilgrim accommodations.

“It is only in Nigerian accommodations that you see all manner of food vendors and pilgrims eating on streets in an unhygienic environment.

“We are therefore calling on authorities concerned to address the following areas: Food and eating habits, toilets, birth and environment, and most importantly, behaviour change,” the volunteers said.

They commended NAHCON's newly introduced National Medical Team as part of the reforms aimed at improving services, increased efficiency, improved coordination and collaboration with the states, “and most importantly, responding to the fiscal situation facing Nigeria.”

“Our findings in Medina and Makkah confirmed that, Nigerian pilgrims now access better medicare with the harmonisation of all the medical teams into what is now called National Medical Team.

“The provision of electronic wrist band to all pilgrims, introduction of DNA sample data, provision of accommodation next to Prophet Muhammad SAW mosque in Medina as well as the scheduled airlift of pilgrims to the Holy Land is also commended by pilgrims and encouraged by the Saudi authorities,” the volunteers added.

A total of 56,475 pilgrims were airlifted to Saudi Arabia in 136 flights in 21 days, out of the total 76,000 Nigerians expected to perform the 2016 Hajj.

The volunteers advised the pilgrims to adhere to the 12-hour ban on grouping of regular pilgrims from their tents in Mina to the Jamarat area to throw pebbles at the pillars symbolising Satan during the three days from Dhul Hijjah 10-12 (Sept. 11-13).

Saudi authorities have ordered that, during the first day of the ritual, there will be no grouping of pilgrims to the Jamarat from 6am to 10:30am while on the second day the ban will be from 2pm to 6pm and on the third and final days it will be from 10:30am to 2pm.

The pilgrims were also advised against early shopping spree and to adhere to stipulated weight approved for their luggage.

“Pilgrims should adhere to the 8kg hand luggage, 32kg and to also avoid carrying prohibited items and extras luggage,” they said.

While commending NAHCON for early transport and distribution of Zam Zam to states, the group advised pilgrims to desist from carrying it in their luggage “as each five liter packages already awaits pilgrims at their various states.”

•Photo by Garba Ahmed shows a cross section of Nigerian pilgrims listening to the enlightenment lecture in Makkah.