Hajj 2014: Ogun pilgrims to be airlifted home from Thursday

Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta

The first batch of pilgrims from Ogun state, southwest, Nigeria will be airlifted back to the country from the King Abdul Azeez International airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Thursday 9 October 2014.

As the 2014 hajj exercise winds up, pilgrims from the state and other parts of the world who have completed all rites expected of participants in Mecca, Saudi Arabia are expected to return to their countries.

The circumvention round the holy Khabba and Safar/Moriwah, which marks the end of the compulsory 4 day exercise, was presided by the throwing of the stones at Jamrat centre in Minna camp, before pilgrims were allowed to disembark towards the city of Mecca.

Speaking with PM News from Saudi Arabia Tuesday morning Chairman of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Dr Isiaq Adebayo Yussuf disclosed that the hitch free exercise could be attributed to the glory of Almighty Allah and the unflinching support it enjoyed from the state government under the leadership of Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

He appreciated the level headedness exhibited by the over 1,200 pilgrims during the one month stay in the holy land, adding that, no stone would be left unturned at prioritizing their welfare till their safe return to Nigeria.

While commenting on their experiences in the holy land, the duo of Alhaji Sheriff Bello and Nofiu Motunde described the exercise as an eye opener which has broadened their horizon, expressing appreciation to the state government for prioritizing their welfare since the commencement of the exercise.

With this development, all pilgrims from the state are said to be in high spirit in anticipation of their return to the country as soon as possible.

As the first set will be leaving in less than 24 hours, other batches are to follow in sequence of two days interval.