Abuja – Over 1, 400 muslim pilgrims have so far been airlifted to Saudi Arabia for this year’s hajj exercise.
The pilgrims are from Nasarawa, Plateau and Benue States.
Zamfara and Kwara States pilgrims are also expected to have been airlifted from Sokoto and Ilorin International airports by Air Peace and Flynas Friday night.
A statement in Abuja on Saturday by NAHCON’s Deputy Director in charge of Information and Publication, Mousa Ubandawaki gave the details.
He said Alh. Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), in his reaction expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing airlift of Nigerian pilgrims by carriers across the country.
The Chairman stated this on Friday during his inspection visit to the Hajj Terminal of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.
Hassan was at the terminal to monitor the airlift of the second batch of Nasarawa pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
The Chairman who was accompanied on the visit by the Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Idris Al-Makura, expressed delight at the pace and the quality of the aircraft deployed for the operation.
He expressed the hope that the airliners and the state boards would sustain the momentum.
“I am very happy with the way and manner we are going. I am really satisfied. I pray and hope that we continue in the same way and sustain the tempo we started with till the end.
“I am also particularly impressed with the quality and standard of the aircraft deployed which has many business class seats.
“It means that we can have many business class pilgrims on board the aircraft,” the Chairman said.
It would be recalled that the flag-off/inauguration ceremony of the 2023 Hajj was held on Thursday, May 25 with the airlift of the first batch of 470 Nasarawa State pilgrims by Max Air to Medina.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
