The Kwara State Government has officially commenced the 2025 Hajj exercise with the successful airlift of 560 intending pilgrims, alongside two officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The inaugural flight took off this afternoon from the Babatunde Idi-Agbon International Airport, Ilorin, aboard a Max Air aircraft at exactly 12:40 pm.
Addressing the pilgrims before their departure, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by his Special Adviser and Councillor, Alhaji Saadu Salaudeen, urged them to be good ambassadors of the state and Nigeria. He called on the pilgrims to offer prayers for peace and unity in the country and to maintain decorum and discipline throughout their pilgrimage.
The Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, revealed that a total of 2,174 pilgrims from the state would be airlifted in four batches.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Board, Professor Mashood Mahmood Jimba, and the Amirul-Hajj, Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Oba Ismail Yahaya Alebiosu, admonished pilgrims to uphold good conduct and spiritual focus during their stay in the Holy Land.
