The Kwara State Government has commenced the 2025 Hajj operations with the successful airlift of the first batch of 560 intending pilgrims, alongside two officials from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), to Saudi Arabia.
The New Daily Prime earlier reported that the atate government announced that allocation four flights for this year’s Hajj will convey 550 pilgrims, making a total of 2,174 intending pilgrims from the state.
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The scheduled flights will take off on 12, 14, 16, and 17 May respectively.
The pilgrims departed the Babatunde Idi-Agbon International Airport, Ilorin, aboard a Max Air flight which took off at exactly 12:40 p.m. on Saturday.
Addressing the pilgrims prior to their departure, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by his Special Adviser and Councillor, Saadu Salaudeen, urged them to uphold discipline, integrity, and the values of peace throughout their pilgrimage.
He appealed to the 2,174 intending pilgrims from the state to be exemplary in character and conduct, while also offering prayers for the peace and progress of Kwara State and Nigeria as a whole.
He also cautioned the pilgrims against any behaviour that could bring disrepute to the state or country, urging them to remain law-abiding and cooperative during their stay in the holy land.
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Also speaking at the departure ceremony, the Chairman of the Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mashood Jimba, and the Amirul-Hajj for this year, the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Oba Ismail Yahaya Alebiosu, admonished all pilgrims to exhibit good behaviour, patience, and devotion throughout the spiritual exercise.
In his farewell address, the Executive Secretary of the board, Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, disclosed that all 2,174 pilgrims from Kwara will be transported to Saudi Arabia in four batches as part of the 2025 Hajj operations.
