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
My friend married my fiancee, took over my apartment; I’m suing for cheating: Businessman
The defendants, who reside in Mararaba, were charged with criminal conspiracy, cheating, breach of trust and threat to life.
Health
20 Ebola contacts released from quarantine in Kenya
Twenty people associated with Kenya’s first case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease have been reunited with their families.
Lagos
21 Lagos internet fraudsters arrested by EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested 19 internet fraudsters at Applewood Estate, Orchid Road, Lekki, in Lagos.
Anti-Corruption
Ex-AMCON boss Kuru approved Arik Air receivership without board’s consent, witness tells court
Mr Kuru allegedly failed to provide the documents, prompting Femi Falana, counsel to Arik Air’s directors and shareholders, to petition the EFCC over the matter in April 2023.
Anti-Corruption
Ghana’s Abubakari twins convicted in $9 million romance fraud scheme
Collectively, victims lost more than $9 million to the Abubakaris’ romance-scam network, which operated from Ghana, the U.S. Department of Justice said.
Rights
‘Lynching Blacks’: Hasan Piker sues CNN’s Scott Jennings over altered video
At issue was an August 11 episode where the host of The Scott Jennings Show told listeners about Mr Piker’s “plan of returning our country to lynchings”.
