The first batch of 540 intending pilgrims from Kano state has departed to King Abdul-Aziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj.
The pilgrims, alongside 9 officials, have departed aboard Max Air aircraft on Monday morning.
Addressing the intending pilgrims while supervising the inaugural flight, the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf called on the pilgrims to be good ambassadors in the holy land and to pray for the state and the nation in general.
He also cautioned them against traveling with hard drugs or contraband that violates the law of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In his speech, the Director General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Laminu Rabi’u Danbappa, stated that the flight contains pilgrims from four local governments in the state, comprising Fagge, Dala, Gwale and Ungoggo Local Government areas.
In a statement by spokesman of the board, Suleman Dederi, the DG explained that Gwale Local Government has 175 pilgrims (92 males and 83 females), Dala Local Government has 119 pilgrims (62 males and 57 females), Ungogo Local Government has 106 pilgrims (67 males and 39 females), and Fagge Local Government has 135 pilgrims (68 males and 67 females.
The statement added that Center 45 has 5 male pilgrims and also 9 government officials overseeing the activities of the pilgrims.
He said Danbappa expressed his appreciation to the Executive Governor for the welfare of the pilgrims, including the subsidized Hajj fare of N500,000 naira each, a top-up of Basic Travelling Allowance, totaling over N367 million and an additional 100 Saudi Riyals given to all pilgrims.
“Earlier, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Alh. Yusif Lawan, mentioned that after all home arrangements, the state government has provided a conducive atmosphere in the holy land, including accommodations, transportation, food, and medicine.
“Alh. Yusif Lawan commended Governor Alh. Abba Kabir Yusif for his commitment to the welfare of the pilgrims,” the statement concluded.
