By Naij.com:
The Saudi Arabian Government has issued an announcement barring the importation of certain foods for the 2016 Hajj.
The National Hajj Commission Of Nigeria (NAHCON) has informed pilgrims that no one should bring Kola Nut, popularly called “Goro”, into Saudi Arabia.
The commission has informed all pilgrims intending to travel that no one should flout the order, or being sanctioned.
The agency also urged states’ Muslim pilgrims welfare boards, agencies, commissions as well as all the licensed tour operators to properly enlighten their pilgrims on the matter.
The commission has said it would sanction any pilgrim boards, agencies, commissions or tour operators which flout the instruction.
The kola nut is the fruit of the kola tree, a genus of trees that are native to the tropical rainforests of Africa. The caffeine-containing fruit of the tree is used as a flavoring ingredient in beverages, and is the origin of the term “cola”.
The kola nut has a bitter flavor and contains caffeine. It is chewed in many West African cultures, individually or in a group setting. It is often used ceremonially, presented to chiefs or presented to guests.
Kola nuts are perhaps best known to Western culture as a flavoring ingredient and one of the sources of caffeine in cola and other similarly flavored beverages, although the use of kola (or kola flavoring) in commercial cola drinks has become uncommon.
According to WebMd.com’s doctors, kola nut is likely safe for most people when consumed in amounts found in foods.
However, some medical sources believe that the caffeine in cola nut can cause insomnia, nervousness and restlessness, stomach irritation, nausea and vomiting, increased heart rate and respiration, and other side effects. When cola nut is used medicinally in large amounts or for a long period of time, it is possibly unsafe, according to some physicians.
Meanwhile, the capturing of data of intending pilgrims for the issuance of 2016 Hajj visa has commenced. So far, 15,531 pilgrims had been captured, according to the most recent report released by the commission.
All those interested in processing have been informed by the Commission to immediately submit their e-passports to their respective state Muslim pilgrims welfare boards, agencies, commissions for further processing.