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The first batch of five hundred and sixty (560) intending pilgrims from Kwara state with two NAHCON officials have departed Babatunde Idiagbon International Airport Ilorin to Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj exercise.
Addressing the pilgrims before their departure, the State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, urged them to conduct themselves with dignity and represent the State and Nigeria honourably during their pilgrimage.
Governor AbdulRazaq, who was represented by his Special Adviser and Counsellor, Alhaji Saadu Salaudeen, called on the 2,174 intending pilgrims from the State to pray for peaceful coexistence in the state and the country in general.
Governor AbdulRazaq charged the pilgrims to avoid any behaviour that could tarnish the image of the State and the country, maintain peace and harmony with fellow pilgrims.
In their remarks, the Chairman of the Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Professor Mashood Mahmood Jimba, and the Amirul-Hajj for this year, the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Oba Ismail Yahaya Alebiosu advised the intending pilgrims to uphold good conduct throughout the pilgrimage.
The Executive Secretary of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam said a total of two thousand, one hundred and seventy-four (2,174) pilgrims will be airlifted in four separate flights as part of this year’s pilgrimage operations.
The Pilgrims departed the Babatunde Idi-Agbon International Airport, Ilorin, on board Max Airline, which took off at twenty minutes to one (12:40) this afternoon, en route the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
By Abdullah Ahmed
