The first batch of 560 intending pilgrims from Kwara have been transported to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from Babatunde Idiagbon International Airport, Ilorin.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the pilgrims departed the airport onboard Max Airline aircraft at about 12:40pm. on Monday.
The departure was witnessed by Kwara Amirul Hajj, Olupo of Ajase-Ipo Oba Ismail Yahaya, and the Executive Secretary of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abdulkadir AbdulSalam and other government functionaries.
Addressing Journalists shortly before the departure, Oba Yahaya urged the intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state and the country while in the Holy land.
He expressed satisfaction with the smooth conduct of the exercise.
“I thank Almighty Allah because everything went as planned. No hitch whatsoever,” he said.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary, AbdulSalam said the successful take-off of the inaugural flight was due to the extra efforts by the state government.
He urged the pilgrims to obey the rules and regulations of Saudi authority and shun all forms of indiscipline throughout the Hajj exercise. (NAN)
