By Matthew Denis
The last batch of intending Kwara Muslim pilgrims will today (Monday) depart Ilorin International Airport for Saudi Arabia to perform the 2019 Hajj rites.
No fewer than 324 Kwara pilgrims are expected to be airlifted by Max Air at the airport.
Recall that the first, second and third batches of a total of 1,676 pilgrims departed the airport consecutively last week.
Pilot Aviation learnt that airlifting of pilgrims from Ekiti and Ondo states under the Ilorin zone grouping of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) will commence immediately at the airport by Max Air.
Speaking to this medium, Executive Secretary of Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Tunde Jimoh expressed appreciation to God for the success of this year’s operation.
He noted that pilgrims have been of good conduct, adding that none of them was caught with prohibited items during the screening exercise at the airport both in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
He lauded the security agencies and the airport management for support towards a hitch free exercise.
Jimoh thanked the state Governor, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for releasing fund to the board to enable it carry out its responsibilities efficiently.
Jimoh, who admonished the pilgrims to observe the hajj rites wholeheartedly while in Saudi Arabia, urged them to be good ambassadors of the state and Nigeria at large.
Similarly, the Airport Manager, Alhaji Ibrahim Azeez commended sister agencies for collaboration in ensuring smooth hajj operations.
He tasked the pilgrims to pray for the country in the Holy land and ensure they observe all the rites religiously as well as obey the rules of the host country.
