Q: You have been providing standard accommodation for pilgrims in the last four or five years, this year the accommodation is below previous standard, what went wrong?
A: The accommodations we have been providing are laudable. But the challenges we are facing this year has to do with the exchange rates which are quite high compared to previous years. The rate is now double and looking at the hotels available, they are very expensive and it would require the pilgrims to pay extra money and that was why we decided to go for cheap hotel, unlike the previous years when we had standard hotels.
Q: Do you provide only accommodations or are there other things you do and how many people, so you provide accommodation for this year?
A: We only provide accommodations for states. The total number of pilgrims from Lagos State was two thousand, three hundred and thirty three (2,333).
Q: What has been your experience dealing with Lagos State pilgrims for some years now?
A: I am the top accommodation provider agency in Makkah for Lagos State and Nigeria and it has been my great pleasure working with Lagos State because I always see them as my family. I wish Governor Ambode long life and prosperity and I would always be happy to be only accommodation provider.
Q: People always refer to you as the best accommodation in Makkah, what is your secret?
A: I will always want to be on top and I need the Governor’s support in order to achieve this. The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. Abdulateef Abdulhakeem, has always been supporting me and I will be looking forward to getting more support from him.
Q: What were the challenges you faced from Saudi government this year?
A: So far, I have not found any challenge because I always stick to their rules and regulations and I know what is expected of me.
Q: How many states did you provide accommodation for this year?
A: I provided for seven states, including, Lagos State, Osun State, Ondo State, Ebonyi State, Anambra and Imo State. The total bed spaces for all the seven states was six thousand (6,000).
Q: How do you feel serving the states after Hajj?
A: I am always happy for serving my people. I know what they want and how to treat them.
Q: What can people do to get on your nerves?
A: If my pilgrims are not getting the best treatment that can annoy me
Q: How do you relax?
A: I go to Haram to pray, to tawaf and atimes take my family to another country to relax. I go to other countries after Hajj to market my company, especially neighbouring countries.
Q: What is your message to Lagos State pilgrims?
A: I thank Lagos State pilgrims for