The Chairman/CEO, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi was in Lagos State on Friday to bid the first batch of the Y2024 intending pilgrims from the state farewell to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Malam Arabi who was accompanied to the Lagos Airport by the National Commissioner, Operations, Inspectorate and Licenses, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi and other officials, described Hajj as a rare opportunity.
He further appealed to them to make the country proud by abiding by the rules and regulations of the foreign country, reminding them that they were going for religious obligations and must therefore be patient in all circumstances.
He also advised them not to fight or quarrel with the officials, saying when there are issues, such must be settled amicably without rancour because we are all human, imploring the intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors and shining examples for others to emulate.
While wishing them a journey of mercy, he encouraged them to pray for the country and its leaders, especially the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu whose intervention made the 2024 Hajj exercise possible for Nigerians.
On his part, the Hon. Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode expressed his appreciation on behalf of the intending pilgrims for the Chairman’s show of love and his admonitions.
He thereafter promised the NAHCON Chairman and his entourage that the state’s pilgrims would not disappoint the country but exhibit exemplary conduct and behaviours whilst in the Holy Land.
The first batch of 423 pilgrims that departed Lagos to Madinah in the morning aboard Flynas flight XY8048 have safely arrived at the King Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah this evening. The second batch of another 423 pilgrims are already set for airlift in the early hours of Saturday.
