Sokoto — Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar has called for collaborative efforts among stakeholders towards ensuring a hitch free hajj operation in Saudi Arabia this year.

The Sultan made the call yes-terday when a delegation led by Speaker of House of Represen-tatives and leader of the Federal Government delegation to this year's hajj Dimeji Bankole called on at his palace in Sokoto.

He described the assignment of the national hajj commission as enormous, saying however that with concerted efforts and coo-peration, the objective of a hitch-fee hajj would be achieved. He also expressed confidence that the team led by Speaker Bankole would carry out a successful exercise.

"As a leader of the House of Representatives, we know that you have the capability and strength to lead the team very well, and we strongly believe you will put in your best to en-sure that the hajj operation is successful", he said.

Meanwhile, Governor Maga-takarda Wamakko of Sokoto State advised the National Hajj Commission to ensure the time-ly return of pilgrimage after the exercise. He gave the advice when he received Speaker Banko-le who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Sokoto.

"Year after we have problems of delays for home bound jour-ney of pilgrims; with you I do be-lieve that that problem will not be repeated", he said. He expressed optimism that the commission would conduct its assignment with utmost success.

He said his state was half way into the receipt of visas and other travel documents for the journey to the holy land.

While speaking at both the Sul-tan Palace and Government House, Speaker Bankole appealed to Sultan and the governor to advise the citizens to be exceedingly discip-lined and law abiding to the Saudi authorities.