The airlift of 2016 Muslim pilgrims for this year’s Hajj has begun in Sokoto state with 500 intending pilgrims from Zamfara state for the inaugural flight.
Speaking during the flag-off of the airlift at the Sultan Abubakar International Airport, President Muhammadu Buhari charged officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to be up to the task and to ensure the comfort of the pilgrims while in the Holy land.
President Buhari, who was represented by the governor of Sokoto state, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, also charged the Commission’s officials to fear God in discharging their responsibility.
Buhari urged the pilgrims to be good ambassadors and obey Saudi Arabian law and orders
“As you embark on to this spiritual journey, I urge you to be law-abiding and be good ambassadors of Nigeria while in the Holy land.”’
While congratulating Zamfara state for being selected for the inaugural airlift, he said this year’s Hajj exercise will be the best in the history of Nigeria.
In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, said the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria has appointed the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, as Amiril Hajj for this year’s exercise.
Sultan said the decision was reached following the council’s meeting held recently, urged state pilgrims welfare agencies to support and cooperate with national Amirul Hajj.
He enjoined pilgrims pray for the country and its leaders so that they could lead them aright.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the NAHCON, Barr. Abubakar Mohammed, said the Commission had concluded all arrangements for this year’s exercise.
Mohammed said 52 different hajj committees had been constituted for effective exercise, adding that the Commission was poised to ensure all intending pilgrims were airlifted before September 1, this year.
According to him, about 74, 400 Nigerians would perform this year’s hajj with 65, 900 out of them coming from the state PWAs, while 8, 500 are from the international routes.
