Katsina State 2022 hajj Pilgrims’ return Journey back to Nigeria begins with the departure of about 557 Pilgrims to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah for onward airlift to Katsina state.
It will be recalled that Katsina state pilgrims for this year’s hajj were airlifted to Saudi Arabia in 4 flight operations without any major hitches as attested to by some pilgrims from the state that are currently in Saudi Arabia.
Some pilgrims who are part of the first batch of pilgrims expressed happiness that they have successfully performed their hajj and are now going back home to meet their families.
Alh Haruna Habibu Gafai a business man who has performed hajj more than 8 times said that he was “impressed with the timely screening of the pilgrims during the first phase of airlift and hope that such feat will be repeated in the second leg of the airlift operation.
Asked about the Katsina State pilgrims’ accommodation in Makkah, Alh Haruna Habibu Gafai opined that for the first time the state pilgrims are accommodated close to the Haram. “We are indeed very surprised because for the first time, we are accommodated closed to the Grand Mosque. Trekking to Haram takes less than 10 minutes and the hotel has all the feature of a 4 star hotel.” We are indeed very grateful to the board and His Excellency, Gov Aminu Bello Masari and we hope this feat will be retained for subsequent hajj exercise.
Another Pilgrim, Alh Umar Usman Sarki who has been part of Katsina state contingent noted that the luxurious hotel has sufficient space for every pilgrim which he said is “clear departure from previous hajj experience with the state”.
Alhaji Abdurrahman Mohammed and Hamisu Nuhu Rimi on their part appreciated the hardwork and the easy accessibility of Katsina state pilgrims officials. “They are always available whenever you want to see them. All the officials includes the Executive Director and the Amirul Hajj are in this hotel with us”
The Executive director of the board, Alhaji Suleiman Nuhu Kuki, attributed the success of Hajj 2022 to the consistent and ever reliable support of His Excellency, Governor Aminu Bellio Masari. “We are lucky to have a dedicated and cohesive staff and the sister supporting agencies are simply amazing. They accorded us all the needed support.
Executive director Suleiman Nuhu acknowledged that the operations is not yet over, but promised to ensure that all pilgrims are airlifted back home as at when due.
