Religion

Hajj pilgrims will transit from Ladoke Akintola Airport next year – Makinde

By Web News 139

By Iyabo Adebisi

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state says next year hajj pilgrims in the State, would be airlifted to Mecca from Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan. 

He gave this assurance at a ceremony to bid farewell to the Pilgrims held at Hajj Camp, Olodo, Ibadan. 

Governor Makinde said the upgrading of Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan to International standard is now a reality, adding that after his inspection to the ongoing project at the Airport, he would submit a letter to the Federal government to that effect. 

He urged the pilgrims to pray for the state and Nigeria at large in their supplications and also be of good ambassadors of Oyo state. 

Earlier, the Chairman, Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Muslim Wing, Sheikh Hashim Atere, appreciated Governor Makinde for his continuous support to the board and the Muslim community in the state. 

Sheikh Atere, who explained that this year pilgrims would be airlifted in two batches on 10th and 11th of May, 2025 added that the board has secured befitting accommodations for all the Intending pilgrims including other arrangements towards a hitch free Hajj exercise. 

Delivering a short admonition, an Islamic Scholar, Professor Kamil Olosho, enjoined the Pilgrims to perform the Hajj rites in accordance  with the dictates of Allah. 

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Religion

Airlift of Hajj Pilgrims End June 24

By Web News 328

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria said that airlifting of pilgrims to the Holy Land will end on Saturday the 24th of June 2023.

Consequently, the Commission has asked intending pilgrims yet to be airlifted, to reach the nearest Pilgrims’ Welfare Agency for confirmation and subsequent dispatch for the 2023 Hajj Pilgrimage.

This was contained in a statement signed by NAHCON’s Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Fatima Usara, on Thursday.

“Outbound movement of pilgrims from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia would be winding up in a few hours’ time. It has been a 27-day marathon, aboard 170 flights so far into Jeddah and Madinah airports, conveying above 71,000 Nigerian pilgrims and still counting.

The Commission calls on any eligible pilgrims with valid travel documents that have not been contacted for the journey, to approach the nearest Pilgrims’ Welfare Agency for confirmation and subsequent dispatch to the Kingdom for the 2023 Hajj exercises”, the statement read.

Meanwhile, NAHCON Chairman, Alhaji Kunle Hassan, on behalf of the management, congratulated the successful pilgrims and urged them to dedicate their time towards attaining the ultimate Hajj Mabrur.

The Chairman also sympathised with intending pilgrims who were unable to make the Hajj trip this year and appealed to them to “take the failure to participate as part of destiny, and to take solace in the fact that the Commission would address their situations accordingly”.

Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Religion

Gov. Makinde Appeals to Protesting Pilgrims

By Web News 613

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has appealed to Muslim pilgrims on the waiting list to exercise patience.

He said his administration would work with the National Hajj Commission in resolving administrative bottlenecks causing delays.

Governor Makinde made the appeal when he received some of the intending pilgrims on a peaceful protest to his office.

While acknowledging that the challenges were due to backlog caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions based on visa quota amongst others, governor Makinde said his administration would take necessary actions and responsibilities in ensuring intending pilgrims shortlisted from Oyo state were airlifted 

He, however, expressed shock at the poor state of social facilities and conveniences at the Olodo Hajj Camp Ibadan, promising to quickly address the challenge to enable intending pilgrims to enjoy standard social facilities at the camp subsequently.

Speaking on behalf of the pilgrims on the waiting list, Alhaji Adebayo Gafar lamented their ordeal, especially the trauma of selling off personal belongings to meet the deadline for payments and enduring uncomfortable experiences at the Olodo Hajj Camp, appealing to the Governor to intervene in ensuring their efforts were not in vain by being airlifted.

They equally presented a list of all intending pilgrims yet to be airlifted to Governor Seyi Makinde for consideration and to expedite actions. 

Iyabo Adebisi