By Olukayode Idowu
President Mohammed Buhari has flagged off the first batch of this year’s Muslim pilgrimage to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia as 546 intending pilgrims took off from the Maiduguri international airport today.
Addressing the intending pilgrims Thursday evening before they embarked on the flight in a Boeing 747 aircraft the President represented by Governor Babagana Zulum urged them to refrain from embarrassing the country while observing their Islamic rites in Mecca and Medina.
He commended the national Hajj Commission (NHCON) for their dedication to duty even as they ensured that the first flight out of Nigeria is safe and hitch free.
Earlier, the Chairman Chief Executuve Officer of of NHCON Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan commended the Government of Borno state for the tremendous support received from them after two years of lull due to the effect of covid 19.
“I wish to call on the entire 43,000 pilgrims hoping to embark on the exercise this year to avoid anything that would be detrimental to the image of the country.
“I appeal to you all to abide by the rules and instructions given to you when you get there” he stressed.
Alhaji Hassan further advised the pilgrims not to carry any prohibited items into the holy land as a mark of respect for the kingdom and the people of Saudi.
Speaking with newsmen later Deputy Governor Usman Kadafu said that apart from this first batch of 546 intendees , two other batches are expected to be ferried to Saudi Arabia before the kingdom’s airports are closed.
Almost 1,400 intending pilgrims would be flown out of Borno state alone before the Saudi Airport is closed.
Present at the occasion were top Government functionaries and board members of the Commission.