The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Friday, in Abuja, airlifted 410 intending pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for the performance of the 2022 pilgrimage.

The FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, who addressed the intending pilgrims at the Permanent Hajj camp, Bassan, assured them of a hitch-free operation.

Ms Aliyu expressed the commitment of the FCT administration to ensure that the FCT contingent to Saudi Arabia gets the best treatment, comparable to any other state of the federation or even the world.

The minister explained that despite the new policies introduced by Saudi Arabia and relevant authorities after the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic, FCTA was proactive in ensuring that all the intending pilgrims complied with relevant policies to participate in the spiritual journey.

“In order to actualise the success of this important religious obligation, the Administration, through the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, introduced a number of strategies.

“Some of them are orientation; radio enlightenment programmes, administration of COVID-19 vaccines, medical screening and other programmes, organized to address possible obstacles that may hinder the success of the Hajj operation.”

She, therefore, enjoined all the pilgrims to remember that Nigeria is passing through some economic and security challenges which require their prayers.

The minister also called on the pilgrims to pray for the success of the forthcoming general elections in 2023.

“For this country to come out of these various predicaments, the importance of your prayers cannot be over emphasised.

“I urge you all to reciprocate this kind gesture extended to you by being good Ambassadors of the FCT and the country at large.

“Pray for the peaceful coexistence of our dear nation as one entity. Always remember that you have no other country to call your own than Nigeria,” she appealed.

Earlier, the Director, FCT Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, Nasiru Danmallam, revealed that the board had approved a total number of 1,995 pilgrims from the FCT to perform this year’s hajj exercise.

He warned officials selected for the operation that the board would not tolerate any act of indiscipline, warning, ”anybody found wanting during the exercise shall have himself or herself to blame.”

Mr Danmallam commended the efforts of the FCT Minister of State for making it possible to secure a befitting accommodation in Makkah for the pilgrims located about 800 meters away from the Holy Ka’abah. 

(NAN)