PRESS RELEASE
No fewer than 851 intending pilgrims performing the Year 2022 Holy pilgrimage through Lagos State have been airlifted to Madinah, Saudi Arabia, so far.
This figure was revealed by the Hon. Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi today, while giving an update about the airlifting exercise to the remaining intending pilgrims at the Shamsi Adisa Thomas (SAT) Mosque, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.
Elegushi confirmed that the first batch of 430 pilgrims comprising of 170 males and 260 females were on board the Inaugural flight by Flynas Airline, Airbus XY 5010 which departed Nigeria on Wednesday at 11.45pm
According to him, the second batch of 421 intending pilgrims which consists of 187 males and 234 females were airlifted by Flynas airline XY 5014 from the Hajj camp, Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), on Thursday June 16, 2022. The flight took off at exactly 1.03pm.
While thanking Allah for the smooth journey and success recorded so far, he admonished the pilgrims already in the Holy land to be good ambassadors, exhibit good virtues in their conducts and preserve as well as promote the enviable image of the State and Nigeria while in the Kingdom.
He assured the remaining intending pilgrims that everyone of them would be airlifted to the holy land.
Elegushi added that the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat was passionate about their well-being and comfort, hence, the adequate provision it made for them both in Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In his farewell address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic matters, Hon. Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe expressed his enthusiasm about the operation so far, saying that he was confident that the pilgrims would obey all instructions and carry out everything they have been thought by the State whilst in the holy land.
He emphasised that with the successful airlifting of the first and second batches within two days, the State was on the verge of accomplishing its plans and strategies of getting every pilgrims to the Kingdom without stress.
On his part, the Board Chairman, Imam (Engr.) Shakiru Ayinde Gafar informed the yet to be airlifted pilgrims that a slight adjustment had occurred in its flight schedule.
He stressed that Flynas would be carrying out a rescue mission by airlifting Ogun and Osun States’ pilgrims on Friday and Saturday respectively while the airline would resume Lagos operation immediately afterwards, saying it is expected that the visas of the remaining Lagos pilgrims would have dropped in large numbers before the weekends.
Taofeek Lawal
Asst. Director
(Public Affairs)
