Haj is a very big business; hence, there are many Haj operators across the country at present. The National Haj Commission (NAHCOM) licensed these operators, some of them are fake. These fake operators cheat and deceive pilgrims by delivering poor services, including providing unbefitting accommodation, food, etc., in Makkah. They cannot be trusted because they lack integrity and do not bother about their image. They collect money from pilgrims and turn around, not only being rude and unfriendly, but provide little or no services to their clients.
However, there is one Haj operator this reporter has noted to be highly honest and efficient. It has indeed distinguished itself positively, especially in Ikorodu axis. Al-Toyyibah is the name of the operator, with its office situated off Ibidapo Shofunwa Street, opposite Ikorodu West LCDA, Agric bus-stop, Lagos road in Ikorodu, near Jumlar petrol station. It is renowned for Umrah (Lesser Haj) and for the main Haj operations.
For almost five years that this reporter has been keeping tab on this agency, it has never failed in its duty of delivering to its clients good and quality services that are devoid of complaints or controversies. The unique thing about this operator is the passion and the humane attitude its officials inject into the business when providing accommodation, transportation, feeding, etc. They bring friendship, politeness and humility into their services.
In order words, they are caring to every pilgrim under their umbrella.
This year, this reporter decided to trace them to their location at MIDAD hotel, Al-Fahin-wad, by Bin Laden Mosque, near the Kabbah in Makkah. It was interesting talking with pilgrims they brought for the Haj. Each one had wonderful testimonies to give about Al-Toyyibah. We also spoke with some of their pilgrims, who proved to be an interviewer’s delight because of their open, truthful and polite way of talking about their activities. This writer could not help promising to highlight the agency for other Nigerians to patronize.
Haj operators, when they are real, make Haj easier for pilgrims, especially first timers. They also speed up travel days compared to State sponsored operations.
Here is what their pilgrims told our reporter.
ABDULFATAI SADALAH, Ilorin:
I enjoy Al-Toyibah services because they make their clients their major priority. I would say that they love the pilgrims the way they love themselves. I pray that the company continue to excel in all their endeavours. We will continue to patronize their services.
ALHAJI ABDULFATAI ASUBIOJO, Ilupeju, Lagos:
The company gives you peace of mind as regards pilgrimage to Makkah and they are very trustworthy. You can boastfully rely on them for quality services. We thank them for the care and love they have been showing us. We always try as much as possible to observe all the prayers we are expected to do and we expect answers from God.
ALHAJI IDOWU AKEEN (ALHAJI I.D VENTURE), Lagos State:
I am very happy and impressed with all Al-Toyibah has done for us. I score them one hundred percent (100%) of all the services they have rendered. They have distinguished themselves by giving us excellent services. The Managing Director of the company comes personally to check how the pilgrims are faring. I am sure when next I am coming for Haj, I would come with Al-Toyibah Travels and Tours.
ALHAJI SHUAIB AMUREGBA, Kwara State:
The company has done a great job by bringing us here and they have always ensured that their pilgrims are treated well. They are very caring and different from all others. They do fulfil all their promises. I recommend the company for those who are willing to come to Makkah.
ALHAJI ADEBAYO KAZEEM, Osun State:
I thank God that I didn’t regret patronizing them because someone recommended them to me. They have done to us the best a travelling agent can do to its clients. They are well-organised and well-coordinated. They will live long and succeed in their endeavours.
ALHAJI OLORUNKEMI NURUDEEN, Kwara:
They ensured that our stay here was worthwhile. They made us do the needful and they monitor our welfare. I pray that they will continue to succeed and flourish and God will see them through.
REMILEKUN MUJIDAT TAIWO, Ayobo, Lagos:
They have done creditably well. They gave us good food and took care of us like their family members. I will always recommend them for people. The room they got for us was very big, both in Makkah and Medina. I am very happy and grateful to them.
ADEJUMO BASIRAT ZAKARIYAH, Ikorodu:
When we heard their advert on radio, my husband advised me to patronize them because they were the better choice. They made us carry out all our Haj exercises conveniently and we are happy for that. The accommodation was very perfect and the cleric they brought here was filled with Islamic knowledge.
SULIAT NURUDEEN AYELOJA, Ogbomosho:
Al-Toyibah has really done well and they really know how to take care of pilgrims. They do give good food and drinks. I pray that God would give them answers to their prayers and they would continue to succeed. I will begin to recommend them for anybody who wants to come to Makkah.
ALHAJA ZAINAB KOLEOSO:
We really enjoyed Al-Toyibah because they rendered perfect and excellent services to us and we are very happy with that. We appreciate the MD’s wife for taking good care of us by giving us good food and drinks. The accommodation was very good and conducive. I am already telling people to patronise them.
ALHAJA KAFILAT OKENIYI OMOWUNMI, Ilorin:
Some of my sisters in NASFAT recommended Al-Toyibah to me and I did not regret patronizing them. They are the best because of the way they treated us. They met all our expectations and also gave us a cleric that has in-depth knowledge of the Quran. I am sure I will patronise them next time. I am coming to Makkah.
ALHAJA BALIKIS ABDULLAHI, Ilorin:
I have known the company for long because many people have been talking about them. I am very happy that I can attest to that today. They told us not to bring much food because they are the ones feeding us here. We also enjoyed their accommodation to the fullest. They check on us every second and we really appreciate all their efforts. I will recommend them and patronise them when next I am coming here.
SHEU MUHAMMADU BUHARI YAKUB, Ilorin:
Al-Toyibah really tried for us and we have been impressed with all their services. Their food and accommodation were superb, and the Missioner they gave us was very smart and we are able to learn so many things here. We pray that God should support them to do more.
ALHAJI MUSTAPHA ARIKEUSOLA, Ilorin:
The company is different from the rest. They treat us in a special way and serve local foods to us. I am happy with the experience so far and can promise them that the next time I come for Haj, I would employ their services again. Their accommodation was unique and different and I pray that God would help them to continue to achieve greater height.
SULAIMAN ABUBAKAR ISHOLA, Ilorin:
I know Al-Toyibah to be a good agent. They fulfilled all their promises. They gave us sallah meat, food and drinks. We really enjoyed them and I am giving them assurance that I would always patronise them.
ALHAJI ABDULKABIR MONSURU, Ilorin:
We really enjoyed Al-Toyibah services because I have never seen any travel agent so accommodating. They treated us well and we really appreciate that. By next year, I won’t hesitate to patronise them and would also recommend them.
ALHAJI ABUBAKAR SODIQ, Ilorin:
The company have done so well and they have justified the money they collected from us for their services. They tried in terms of the love shown to us, provision of food, drinks and accommodation. Their services are rare and I think they are worthy to be patronised again next year. I will continue to recommend them to people.
ALHAJI YUSUF OLARENWAJU, Ilorin:
We thank God that Al-Toyibah did not disappoint us because they really went out of their comfort zone to satisfy us. The accommodation they gave us was superb. All the people I will bring to Makkah next year would come with Al-Toyibah. They really made us happy by giving us all the things we needed including food and drinks. I will always patronise them.
ALHAJI NURUDEEN OLATUNBOSUN, Chairman, Ifelodun LCDA:
They have given their best in the services they have rendered so far and by successfully bringing their pilgrims to Makkah safe. We really enjoyed our stay and the cleric they brought was sound and filled with Islamic knowledge. I thank God for making me to partake in the wonderful experience. If I have another opportunity of coming here, I will still patronise Al-Toyibah.
ALHAJA JINADU ADEOLA, Ikorodu:
Travelling with Al-Toyibah was the best experience one would ever have. I really enjoyed because they took good care of us by giving us different types of Local meals and drinks. Even the foodstuffs we took to Makkah are still remaining because we didn’t cook anything. They were the one giving us food. The accommodation was very superb and standard. They were taking care of us as if we are same family. When next I want to travel to Makkah. I won’t hesitate to go with Al-Toyibah.
Abdul-Waheed,Abdulhakeem,a.k.a Alarafa, Lagos house provider in Makkah speaks on 5-star hotel accommodation.
He is the Chairman/CEO of KAOSARAT Ltd, better or more popularly known as ALARAFA. He is the Kwara State born Nigerian in Saudi Arabia providing accommodation for many State pilgrims across the country.
For a man to be the one negotiating for those high rise, four and five star hotels and other hostels for several thousands of Nigerian pilgrims, who yearly perform the Haj, is no mean task. He must have good rapport and effective communication with house owners, investors, real estate owners, etc. Last year, Lagos pilgrims lamented over the poor accommodation provided for them and we confronted him for that lapses. He neither blamed Governor Ambode nor the Amirul Haj, Dr. AbdulLateef Abdul Hakeem; rather, he said it was as a result of late payment. So, when there was a huge turn around for the better this year, this reporter met the same man and asked what the secret for the success was.
The man gave kudos to both Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the Amirul Haj, AbdulLateef, for prompt payment this year.
According to him, the Lagos State Government paid for accommodation in January this year, far ahead of most nations of the world. Governor Ambode must have raised a loan or funds from elsewhere to pay and then recoup when the Pilgrims got set for the Haj. Previous years, the Pilgrims’ Board used to wait for the Pilgrims to pay for their Haj fare before remitting money to the Holy land for accommodation.
This new arrangement by Governor Ambode and the Amirul Haj, Dr. Abdul-Hakeem, ensured that Alarafa got superb five star hotels, about five of them, for the over 2000 Lagos pilgrims at Raebash, where white people, including Egyptians and Indonesians usually stay. That area is not only beautiful but cosy and very close to the Grand mosque in Makkah. This reporter asked Alarafa about next year’s Haj, given the huge success recorded this year. He suggested that Governor Ambode should sustain this arrangement of providing loan to the Pilgrims’ Board for them to remit in good time.
Alarafa noted that if the payment comes even earlier than this year’s timeline, he could secure a super luxurious hotel in the same Raebash area, which can accommodate the entire Lagos contingent in one hotel, instead of scattering them to four or five star hotels staying apart. He took this reporter to this magnificent hotel to prove his point. He revealed that though he made little or no profit from this year’s accommodation business, he was more than satisfied that Lagos pilgrims were very happy with what they were given, especially the comfort they enjoyed, unlike last years’ experience.
He praised the Amirul Haj for being an honest and patriotic man, who had never asked for bribe from him and yet delivered his own part of the obligation. He said that the money sent by the Lagos State Government was promptly delivered by the Amirul Haj and the Board; hence, he acted fast and secured excellent accommodation for pilgrims. The house provider prayed fervently for Ambode, Amirul Haj, the board members and Lagos pilgrims for having supported his business over the years and the confidence they repose in him.
He particularly prayed for Ambode’s second term bid, saying that the Governor had done very well and had shown that he loves his people and is after their welfare. He believes that Gov. Ambode should be given a fresh mandate to continue and complete the good work he is doing in the State.
He did not forget Asiwaju Tinubu, for whom he prayed for more divine wisdom and good health. He believes that Asiwaju Tinubu represents all that is good and progressive among Nigerians and said he should be encouraged to move this nation forward. He did not leave out the Publisher of Oriwu Sun, Alhaji Monzor Olowosago, whom he thanked for his support through his publications every year.
He is happy that Lagos State remains one of his biggest clients in the country; hence, he will continue to pray for the success and progress of the State.
He gave a parting gratitude to the Amirul Haj, saying he had done nothing for him; yet, the man had been supporting him without asking for or ready to accept anything from him. This reporter asked Alarafa why he is a cheerful giver, who is always ready to help the poor and needy pilgrims. He disclosed that he inherited the act of giving from his parents, who were always ready to part with whatever they had to help others. He sees it as an act of God because God loves cheerful givers and always blesses such people, who are willing to give out to the less privileged.
He urged Lagosians to continue to support Governor Ambode, Amirul Haj and the Pilgrim’s Board to sustain the very high standard Lagos State has achieved over the years in Haj operations as the best performing State in the federation.