Jigawa state governor, Muhammad Badaru and some top government officials in the state on Wednesday bidded farewell to intending pilgrims from the State at Dutse International Airport.
Photo credit: Independent Hajj Reporters.
Abubakar Ahmadu Maishanu
The first batch of Intending pilgrims from Jigawa State on Wednesday departed Dutse International Airport aboard Max-Air airline.
The plane took off at exactly 7:51 a.m amidst cheers from well-wishers including governor Mohammad Badaru and his deputy Muhammad Namadi.
A pregnant woman was screened out of the intending pilgrims from the state as part of the rules guiding intending pilgrims across the globe.
While addressing reporters shortly after the operation, the Executive Secretary, Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Sani Alhassan, said the plane carried 559 intending pilgrims including officials.
Mr Alhassan added that the date for the airlift of the remaining 334 intending pilgrims would be communicated as soon as correspondence is received from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
Those airlifted on Wednesday hail from 18 Local Government Areas out of the 27 in the state which includes: Sule Tankarkar; Garki; Gagarawa; Gumel; Taura; Ringim; Maigatari; Bubara; Dutse; Kiyawa; Birnin kudu; Jahun; Miga; Gwaram; Buji; Kafin-Hausa; Auyo and Gwaram.
Also, the remaining Local Government Areas in the second batch of the intending pilgrims include: ‘Yankwashi; Kaugama, Mallamadori; Kazaure; Hadejia; Birniwa; Guri and Kirikassamma councils areas.
The governor of Jigawa State, Muhammad Badaru, who witnessed the boarding and eventual departure of the intending pilgrims called on them to be good ambassadors of the state and the country. He prayed for a successful and hitch-free hajj for all the intending pilgrims from the state.
