By: Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Makkah.
With the completion of airlift of Nigerians across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, the Chairman and Chief Executive of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Barrister Zikrullah Kunle Hassan has arrived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after spearheading a smooth airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to the holy land for this year’s Hajj.
Barrister Hassan arrived at Jeddah International Airport on Friday, alongside the commission management team and 139 officials via Flynas at 23:20hrs Saudi time with 156 pilgrims.
Speaking at the final batch of the airlift ceremony of Niger state pilgrims at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport on Friday before leaving Nigeria, the NAHCON boss reiterated that it is historic for the Commission to airlift all its pilgrims on schedule.
He thanked Almighty Allah for making the entire exercise a success despite some challenges this year and last year, due to the emergency nature of the operation.
“There are many things for us to be greatful for. This years operation is about the first time in ten years when we are going to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the total number of over 95,000. It has taken a while for Nigerian pilgrims to get this number.
“And the beauty of it is that despite the number, we are able to airlift all the states pilgrims and I must say that even those of the tour operators who are challenged, by 2:am today In Sha Allah after midnight today the last of the tour operators pilgrims chartered airplane will live lagos. We are safe to conclude that every operation managed and micro managed by NAHCON as far as airlift is concern are going to be in the kingdom and partake in the Arafat,” he said.
He also stated that a flight that will depart 2pm on Saturday which he was part of, was strictly for NAHCON officials.
