By Be Good Ambassadors- Osinbajo As FG Flags Off 2017 Hajj, Airlifts 460 Pilgrims In Inaugural Flight
The Federal Government on Sunday flagged off the 2017 Hajj programme as 460 pilgrims were airlifted in the inaugural flight. About 76,000 Nigerians are scheduled for this year’s pilgrimage.
Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo urged the pilgrims to be of good conduct as they journey into the Holy Land as they must portray themselves as good ambassadors of Nigeria.
Osinbajo also lauded the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCO) for all efforts put in place to transport the pilgrims saying that the efforts by all the stakeholders has culminated in the success recorded so far.
“I want to commend the efforts of all the stakeholders for what we are witnessing here today. NAHCON, the aviation ministry and all the agencies under the ministry and all relevant stakeholders have put in their best. I want to appreciate NAHCON for able to get back the 20 per cent quota taken from Nigeria by Saudi authorities. The airlift of the pilgrims is the beginning of hajj process and I want to appeal to the pilgrims fear Allah and be good ambassadors of Nigeria in Saudi Arabia. I also want to call on the hajj officials to relate well with the pilgrims,” Osinbajo said who was represented by Minister of FCT, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello.
In same vein, the SUltan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar tasked the pilgrims to see the journey as a spiritual one and not the normal holiday or tourism visit as he also urged them to pray for the country and it’s leaders. He was also represented by EMir of Bauchi, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ridwan Suleiman Adamu.
Chairman/CEO of NAHCO, Abdullahi Mukhtar disclosed that out of the 79,000 pilgrims expected to embark on the journey, 60,000 are going through the State pilgrims Board while 16,000 are going through private tour operators.
In his speech at the event, Mukhtar revealed that officials of the NAHCO were already on ground in Saudi Arabia to receive the Nigerian pilgrims as they arrive at the airport.
He also revealed that the Saudi Government have so far granted 20,000 visas and expected to grant more in days to come.
