Nigerian pilgrims return to Makkah, advised against excess luggage…
Nigerian pilgrims have been trooping back to Makkah after a four – day stay at the tent city of Muna and Mount Arafat for 2018 Hajj. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Daily Trust gathered, will hold its annual post-Arafat meeting where it reviews the Hajj operations so far and also announce the date for […]
Nigerian pilgrims have been trooping back to Makkah after a four – day stay at the tent city of Muna and Mount Arafat for 2018 Hajj.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Daily Trust gathered, will hold its annual post-Arafat meeting where it reviews the Hajj operations so far and also announce the date for the beginning of airlift of Nigerian pilgrims back home.
During the post-Arafat meeting, NAHCON officials meet with airline operators, state pilgrims officials, tour operators, chairpersons of standing and adhoc committees, and consular officials for the review of the Hajj and planning of the return journey.
The three Hajj air carriers- Max Air, Flynas, and Medview will during the meeting present their return journey schedule to NAHCON and also state the date they will begin the airlift.
Few of the pilgrims who have not been to Madina on their arrival, will also be ferried to the holy prophet city for visitation.
Nigerian pilgrims will be airlifted back home on ‘first-in, first-out’ basis stipulated by NAHCON.
By this, pilgrims that were first airlifted to the holy land will be the first to be transported home after the Hajj.
Kogi State pilgrims will therefore be the first to return home having came in first. Kogi State is followed by the Federal Capital Territory, and Nasarawa State.
NAHCON chairman/chief executive Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammed has advised pilgrims against carrying excess luggage.
“I advise you to stick to approved luggage, so as not to cause delay during your return journey,” he said.
The chairman spoke when he visited tents of Kaduna, Kano, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Kogi, Ebonyi, Kwara and Sokoto states pilgrims in Muna.
States pilgrims are each entitle to 32 kilogram checked-in luggage, and eight kilogram hand luggage.
The Nigerian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Justice Muhammad Dodo, said he was impressed by the conduct of Nigerian pilgrims so far.
“You have all demonstrated that you are good ambassadors of our country. It is pleasing that we are yet to have any negative report of any Nigeria pilgrims,” the diplomat said.