By Omowumi Omotosho
Kwara State has officially kicked off its 2025 Hajj exercise with the successful airlift of first batch of 560 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
The group departed Ilorin’s Babatunde Idiagbon International Airport on Monday at precisely 12:40 p.m. aboard a Max Air aircraft, marking the commencement of this year’s pilgrimage exercise..
Present at the airport to oversee the smooth takeoff were prominent dignitaries, including the Amirul Hajj and Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Oba Ismail Yahaya; the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Abdulkadir AbdulSalam; as well as other senior state officials.
Addressing members of the press ahead of the flight, Oba Yahaya advised the pilgrims to represent both Kwara and Nigeria with dignity during their spiritual journey. He praised the planning efforts, calling the entire process “hitch-free and well-coordinated.”
Alhaji AbdulSalam, speaking on behalf of the Pilgrims Welfare Board, also urged pilgrims to comply strictly with Saudi Arabia’s guidelines and to steer clear of any forms of misconduct.
The Kwara Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board therefore confirmed that additional flights are scheduled to depart on May 14, May 16, and May 17. This year’s Hajj allocation for Kwara surpasses 4,000 slots.
