By Soliu Oyesiji
Vice President Kashim Shettima is set to officially flag off the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj on Sunday, May 3.
The ceremony will take place at the Pilgrims Terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
According to the programme, activities will begin at 2:30pm with the arrival of guests, followed by the opening prayer led by the Chief Imam of the National Mosque Abuja.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Ismail Abba Yusuf, will deliver the welcome address, while goodwill messages are expected from the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Chairman, House Committee on Muslim Pilgrimage, Jafaru Mohammed Ali; and Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Abubakar Sani Bello.
Also scheduled to speak is the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, while the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, will deliver the keynote address.
Shettima is expected to perform the official flag-off of the inaugural flight at about 3:20pm, marking the commencement of the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
The event will conclude with a closing prayer and the national anthem.
