Hajj: Arilift of Borno, Yobe pilgrims starts this week

Kalgo told Kanem Trust that 6,286 pilgrims comprising 3, 286 from Borno and 3,000 from Yobe were to be airlifted by Max Airline through the Maiduguri International airport. He said the carrier had already positioned a 747 aircraft which would be deployed to the zone for inaugural flight next week Tuesday, staring with about 500 […]

Kalgo told Kanem Trust that 6,286 pilgrims comprising 3, 286 from Borno and 3,000 from Yobe were to be airlifted by Max Airline through the Maiduguri International airport. He said the carrier had already positioned a 747 aircraft which would be deployed to the zone for inaugural flight next week Tuesday, staring with about 500 pilgrims from Borno while the next departure would be Yobe’s as the aircraft would alternate flights between the two states for even airlift.

The coordinator said he was optimistic that given the intense preparation by top authorities of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) along with the state governments, this year’s hajj would be the most successful in comparison with previous successes recorded by the commission.

The coordinator also said 10 kilogram bags had been handed over to Borno and Yobe pilgrims’ welfare officers for distribution to intending pilgrims, noting it was the first time in many years that such bags were brought as only the bigger bags for 40 kilos were being brought to the two states. He commended the NAHCON chairman for positive inventions on yearly basis.

Kalgo appealed to pilgrims to handle the electronic passports with utmost caution, calling on them to avoid stapling pages as such would cause damages that would make the passport unreadable by machines.

Kalgo noted that the commission had since made available funds which was used in carrying out clearing and cleaning works at the permanent hajj camp in readiness to receive the first batch of intending pilgrims by next weekend. He said the commission expected that only pilgrims for a scheduled flight would be at the camp to prevent overcrowding and guarantee safety of pilgrims’ health.  

Our correspondent who visited the permanent hajj camp reports it now wears a new look. The buildings appear beautiful with standard hostels for both male and female intending pilgrims ready for use while the camp has a clinic with shops for food sellers. The camp, which was renovated by the Borno State government last year, replaced a situation where pilgrims lived and slept on open ground at the airport transit camp over the years.