Hajj airlift begins, to end Oct 29

Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo yesterday flagged-off the inaugural airlift of 500 set of pilgrims from Nasarwa State to mark the commencement of this year’s Hajj exercise at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja,

He called on the pilgrims to pray for Nigeria and commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for raising the standard of Hajj operations since coming on board in 2007.

[Vice President Namadi Sambo]
In this year’s operations, four government approved air carriers are expected to airlift 99,000 pilgrims in 200 flights from 12 centres across the country before the November 2 dateline set for airlift off all pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

Sambo said “we note with delight, the modest transformations that have been recorded generally in Hajj operations, the impact of which have gone a long way in facilitating smoother Hajj experience for the average Nigerian pilgrim.”

He urged the commission to consolidate on the gains recorded and tasked other stakeholders in Hajj operations to ensure that optimal success is achieved in programmes like “the Tradudiyya transportation system, the harmonised feeding arrangement in Munah and Arafat, the new concept of accommodation in Madina as well as luggage management.”

He also enjoined the pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the country by avoiding acts capable of incriminating them while in the holy land.

He said, “I request you to offer special prayers for our dear country for peace, progress and remind you to be steadfast.”

He assured them of government commitment to assist in order to ensure smooth exercise.

He also advised the pilgrims to take good care of themselves by feeding well, observing proper hygiene as well as utilising their travel allowances in the most judicious manner.

In his address, Nasarawa State Governor Umar Tanko Almakura, expressed his appreciation to President Goodluck Jonathan for approving the exchange rate of N135 to the Dollar, saying the incentive had reduced the Hajj fare and increased the number of pilgrims.

In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto and the head of the Federal Government delegation to this year’s Hajj (Amirul Hajj), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, thanked the Federal Government for offering measures to make the Hajj easier for pilgrims.

Earlier, the Chairman of NAHCON, Muhammad Musa Bello, disclosed that the inaugural flight would airlift 500 pilgrims from Nasarawa State.

“We are planning to finish airlifting of all 99,000 Nigerian pilgrims on the 29 October, that is four days to the closing of King Abduláziz, International Airport, Jiddah,” he said.

Commenting on the issue of accommodations in Medina, Abdullahi Mukhtar, NAHCON commissioner in charge of Operation, said unlike in the past, this year Nigerian pilgrims would not share any accommodation with other nationals in Medina.

Speaking on the arrangement so far for the operation, Max Air spokesman, Ibrahim Dahiru, said the company is planning to airlift all its “over 41,000 pilgrims” on time as scheduled.