Lagos: First batch of 388 intending pilgrims depart for Saudi Arabia
The first batch of 388 Lagos’ intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia on Monday departed the state.
This was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the pilgrims left the pilgrims and cargo terminal, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, on board a FLYNAS airline Airbus A330-300 with registration number XY8410.
It said the airline took off at exactly 5:42 p.m., Nigerian time on Monday, with 167 males and 221 females.
The commissioner for home affairs, Ibrahim Layode, among other government functionaries, was present at the airport to bid farewell to the intending pilgrims.
Mr Layode urged the intending pilgrims to prioritise their spiritual growth by being focused and performing all the Hajj rites as prescribed by the Holy Prophet.
According to Mr Layode, the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is passionate about their well-being and comfort, hence, the series of largesse and free medical screening exercises organised for them in 10 different locations across the state.
He urged them to be good ambassadors of the state by obeying the rules and regulations of Saudi Arabia and acting as responsible citizens of Nigeria throughout their stay in Saudi Arabia.
The board secretary, AbdulHakeem Ajomagberin, called on pilgrims to shun any act that would tarnish the image of the state and Nigeria in general and encouraged them to be law-abiding.
He disclosed that the transportation of other pilgrims would continue on Tuesday as scheduled by NAHCON.
He added that a break would be on Wednesday, while the exercise would continue on Thursday through Saturday.
According to him, Saturday’s flight to Saudi Arabia will be the last for the exercise.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Maid, driver caught on CCTV stealing employer’s $3,000, police say
He said the defendants entered the complainant’s bedroom while she was at work and stole the items without realising there was CCTV in the house.
States
Kano governor’s aide appoints son as chief of staff
Mr Aruwa stated, “Let me categorically make it clear that my leader is Abba, my political boss is Abba, and my political party is Abba.”
States
U-15 World Cup: Future Eagles spank New Caledonia 7-0, progress to round of 16
Nigeria’s Future Eagles trounced New Caledonia 7-0 on Wednesday to cruise to the Tier C Round of 16 at the inaugural FIFA Under-15 World Cup.
States
27-year-old woman caught stealing Indomie noodles, police tell court
A 27-year-old woman, Sarah Williams, was arraigned on Wednesday before a Kaduna Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing four cartons of Indomie noodles.
Rights
Bauchi police arrest man for defiling teenager
The police command in Bauchi says it arrested a 24-year-old, Jafar Mohammed, for alleged abduction and defilement of a minor.
