Hajj: Airlift of Sokoto Pilgrims begins tomorrow

Airlift of this year’s intending pilgrims from Sokoto to Saudi Arabia will commence tomorrow Monday, 30th July, Amirul Hajj, Sokoto state, Professor Bashir Garba has disclosed. The leader of Sokoto’s hajj delegation disclosed this at the inauguration of nine committees for the 2018 pilgrimage to Makkah. Professor Garba who is the Secretary to the state […]

Airlift of this year’s intending pilgrims from Sokoto to Saudi Arabia will commence tomorrow Monday, 30th July, Amirul Hajj, Sokoto state, Professor Bashir Garba has disclosed.

The leader of Sokoto’s hajj delegation disclosed this at the inauguration of nine committees for the 2018 pilgrimage to Makkah.

Professor Garba who is the Secretary to the state Government, assured that the state Pilgrims’ Welfare Agency had concluded all necessary arrangement for the exercise.

The Amirul Hajj urged members of the committees to ensure commitment to the discharge of their responsibilities.

Chairman, Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Sokoto   Alhaji Muktar Maigona said the agency would ensure effective collaboration   with the committees to ensure success of the exercise.

He added that the agency was leaving no stone unturned towards a smooth hajj operation.

Chairman screening and security committee Alhaji Ibrahim Magaji Gusau expressed appreciation to the state government for giving them the opportunity to contribute to the success of this year’s hajj exercise.

Meanwhile speaking with Daily Trust in Sokoto, Director General of the state Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Shehu Dange said that a total of 4,844 seats were allocated to the state by the National Hajj Commission but that only 2,837 people registered for the 2018 hajj exercise from the state.

He asserted that the state had made adequate arrangement at home and in the holy land to ensure smooth hajj exercise for the pilgrims.

"We have contracted the best airline, Flynas and we set up various committees that will look after the welfare and wellbeing of our pilgrims right from the take off and during their stay in the Holy Land,” he said.

He advised intending pilgrims to avoid unnecessary spending and to be good ambassadors of the state and the country at large while at the Holy Land.

The DG urged them to respect and abide by the laws of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to be obedient to their guides.

He also called on them to pray for the country to overcome its security challenges as well as for peaceful elections and the emergence of best leaders in the country.