Alhaja Ramota Bankole, a prominent leader of Nigeria’s All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, was among over 1,000 pilgrims who died due to extreme heat during the annual hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.
The former APC Welfare Secretary’s death was confirmed by local officials on Thursday.
The heatwave has resulted in more than 1,000 fatalities, with over half being unregistered worshippers who joined the pilgrimage through irregular channels.
Nigerian officials, including Seye Oladejo, APC’s Publicity Secretary, expressed deep condolences, highlighting Bankole’s dedication to the party and her role in encouraging women’s participation in politics.
This year’s hajj has seen significant fatalities, with 10 countries reporting 1,081 deaths. Nigeria confirmed the deaths of four nationals, and other countries like Malaysia, India, and Jordan also reported casualties.
Saudi Arabia reported over 2,700 cases of “heat exhaustion” but has not disclosed the total number of fatalities. Last year, over 300 deaths were reported, mainly among Indonesian pilgrims.
The hajj pilgrimage, one of Islam’s five pillars, faces increasing challenges from climate change. Rising temperatures and frequent heat-related illnesses pose significant risks to pilgrims, with experts warning that parts of the Gulf could become uninhabitable by the century’s end.