By Toyin Saheed
About 540 pilgrims from Kwara State this morning departed to Saudi Arabia to perform this year’s Hajj exercise.
The pilgrims departed the Ilorin International Airport aboard a Max Air Boeing 747 aircraft at 6:20 in the morning.
Speaking with our Correspondent Toyin Saheed at the Ilorin international airport the state Amirul-Hajj, Dr Ibrahim Akewusola charged the pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state and Nigeria in the holy land and conduct themselves in an orderly manner.
Akewusola appealed to the pilgrims to pray for the restoration of peace and stability of the state and the country at large.
The Amirul-Hajj said the successful takeoff of the first flight is the effort of the state Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq and prayed Allah to continue to be with him to pilot the affairs of the state to greater heights.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State intending pilgrims have commended the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board for their efforts to ensure they have an easy process during the screening exercise.
One of the intending pilgrims, Alfa Masood Ademola while speaking with our Correspondent appreciated the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board for their efforts towards the successful commencement of the airlifting from the state to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Another pilgrim Hajia Mosurat Yusuf said the Board make the facility conducive for them despite the challenges facing by the board.
The state pilgrims board disclosed that a total of 1500 intending pilgrims from the state are expected to participate in this year Hajj exercise out of the 43000 allocated to Nigeria.
The board attributed the delay of airlifting to the late outcome of PCR test result, adding that the test is mandatory to every intending pilgrims to carryout 72 hours before the journey.
Edited by Dare Akogun
