The 560 first batch of kwara pilgrims with two NAHCON officials, who departed Ilorin on Monday 12 May 2025 for this year’s Hajj exercise, have arrived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia safely.
The pilgrims arrived at Madina about 6pm Nigeria time, which is equivalent to 8pm Saudi time.
Chairman of the Board, Professor Moshood Mahmood Jimba disclosed this during a phone interview with The Highprofile Crew, saying they are all in high spirit and that have all begun the visitation exercise to various sacred places in Madina.
The pilgrims, on Monday, departed Babatunde Idi-Agbon International Airport, Ilorin, aboard a Max Airline, which took off at 12.40pm on Monday, en route to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
It will be recalled that the Kwara State Government yesterday flagged off this year’s Hajj exercise with the airlift of the first batch of 560 pilgrims and two NAHCON officials to Saudi Arabia.
Addressing the pilgrims before their departure, the State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, advised them to conduct themselves with dignity and represent the state and Nigeria honourably during their pilgrimage.
The Governor, who spoke through his Special Adviser and Councillor, Alhaji Saadu Salaudeen, urged the 2,174 intending pilgrims from the state to pray for the peaceful coexistence of the country and Kwara state in particular.
He enjoined them to avoid any behaviour that could tarnish the image of the state and Nigeria at large and urged them to maintain peace and harmony with fellow pilgrims.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Board, Professor Moshood Mahmood-Jimba, and the Amirul-Hajj for this year, the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Oba Ismail Alebiosu, advised all the intending pilgrims to uphold good conduct throughout the pilgrimage.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, said 2,174 pilgrims will be airlifted in four separate flights.
