The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says the inaugural flight for this year’s Hajj will take off on Friday,May 9 from Owerri, Imo State with Gov. Hope Uzodinma serving as host.
Hajia Fatima Usara, Assistant Director, Information and Publication Division, NAHCON, confirmed this in a statement.
She said 315 pilgrims from Imo, Abia and Bayelsa have been scheduled to board the Air Peace airline for the trip.
Usars said : “Vice-President Kashim Shettima is expected to grace the occasion as Special Guest of Honour.
“Already, the NAHCON advance team arrived in Owerri earlier on May 7 to monitor preparations for the inaugural flight.”
She said that registration for the 2025 Hajj ended with a record of 40, 671 pilgrims.
“Four flights are scheduled to take off simultaneously on May 9 for the pilgrimage.
“The flights are expected as follows: Max Air from Bauchi, two Flynas flights, one from Kebbi and the other from Osun through the Lagos departure centre.
“There is a fourth flight from Niger, totalling 2,528 pilgrims to arrive in Madina on the first day.
“Further details will be shared as the activities unfold,” she said.
According to her, NAHCON closed the registration of pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj on May 2 to enable it to concentrate on the airlift of pilgrims.
Usara assured that any Hajj fare deposit received after May 2 would be duly refunded.
Usara said an extension was earlier granted through the intervention of NAHCON Chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh, despite closure of contract by March 25.
“Stoppage of further registration became necessary in order for the commission to concentrate on airlifting pilgrims, with sufficient resources to ensure their comfort.
“Any Hajj fare deposit received after May 2 will be duly refunded,” she assured.
(NAN/vitalnewsngr.com)
