June 22, 2022

The third batch of 400 Lagos pilgrims, comprising 175 males and 225 females, that departed Nigeria for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on Monday, has landed safely in Madinah.

The batch, which was led by a member of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Yusuf Ara, and other sub-committee members, has increased the total number of airlifted pilgrims to 1,251.

Speaking before their departure from Nigeria, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi, urged the pilgrims to comply with all the regulations and follow instructions of the Board, especially as it concerns their welfare and safety.

He cautioned against exposing themselves to the high intensity of the Saudi Arabian Sun and eschew spending their limited resources lavishly on frivolities, saying their welfare is of utmost concern to the State Government.

The South-West Commissioner of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaja Basirat Akintunde, commended the State Government for its commitment to ensuring a hitch-free airlifting exercise.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic matters, Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe, expressed delight that the State surmounted all bottlenecks to airlift the third batch of its pilgrims successfully, promising that efforts are ongoing to airlift the few remaining intending pilgrims.

On his part, the Board Chairman, Engr. Shakiru Ayinde Gafar, gave assurance that the visa challenges would be addressed to ensure that all the remaining intending pilgrims and officials are airlifted for the exercise to Saudi Arabia soon.