The Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (KWMPWB) yesterday held a strategic meeting with key stakeholders and agencies at the Ilorin International Airport to ensure a smooth and successful 2025 Hajj operation.
Addressing the gathering, the Manager of Ilorin International Airport, Alhaji Suraju Aderibigbe, assured attendees that the airport is fully prepared for the upcoming pilgrimage. He confirmed that all necessary checks including flight control systems, security protocols, terminal and runway inspections, as well as approach lights guiding air carriers have been thoroughly completed. He added that these checks will continue throughout the operation to ensure the safety of both pilgrims and staff.
Board Chairman, Professor Jimba Moshood, called for maximum cooperation among all stakeholders, stressing the importance of professionalism. He urged airport officials to remain vigilant and to strictly prevent any form of extortion at the access gate, especially from pilgrims or their families. He also assured the airport management that a detailed schedule of events will be promptly shared.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of KWMPWB, Alhaji Abdulsalam Abdulkadir, noted that preparations for the 2025 Hajj have progressed swiftly and efficiently. He pledged the board’s full cooperation with the airport authorities to ensure a hitch-free operation. “Flight schedules and activities will be relayed in real-time to ensure everyone remains a step ahead,” he stated.
Also present was a representative of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA),Mr. Ajiboye S.O who affirmed the agency’s commitment to accurate air navigation and coordination of flight schedules during pilgrim departures and arrivals.
A representative of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), CSI Abubakar Abdulazeez, appealed for smooth collaboration, urging that NIS personnel be allowed to perform their duties without interference. He warned that any obstruction from staff would not be tolerated.
The high-level meeting emphasized inter-agency collaboration as a cornerstone for a successful Hajj operation, with all parties reaffirming their readiness and commitment to ensuring the safety, orderliness, and spiritual fulfillment of the pilgrims.
