Gombe & Abdulkadir Badsha Mukhtar
7 November 2008
Abuja — Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad and five state governors yesterday joined Speaker of the House of Representatives Oladimeji Bankole and state governor Alhaji Muhammadu Danjuma Goje at Gombe's Lawanti International Airport to witness the maiden flight of the 2008/2009 Muslim pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
Addressing a huge crowd that gathered at the airport, the Sultan commended the effort of the state government for a judicious use of public funds by investing into a venture that would benefit generations yet unborn. He said when he was told that the maiden flight would begin in Gombe Airport, he was initially doubtful that the operation would be successful.
He also admonished the 95,000 intending pilgrims across the country to be very wary on how they spend their Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA), saying holy pilgrimage is not picnic trip where one could engage in a shopping spree. Rather, he said, it is a place of worship that involves strenuous exercise. He therefore urged them to conserve their little allowances to avoid being distressed in the holyland.
The Amirul Hajj Bankole said members of his committee would be more dedicated and committed than ever before, because the mission of this year's hajj was zero tolerance for corruption and sloppiness. Bankole said they were chosen to serve people and not to be their leaders, therefore it was going to be hajj with a difference this year.
The speaker challenged the Muslim Ulama to live up to their responsibilities by keeping the contingents abreast on the Islamic rites of performing the holy pilgrimage, as that is the only way the bountiful reward of the exercise could be enjoyed by each and every participant.
He also charged all the intending pilgrims to be disciplined and loyal to the authorities while in Saudi Arabia and to maintain a hygienic environment at the lodges that would be provided to them. He said his committee would like to inculcate some good attitudes in the pilgrims that would project the good image of the country.
In his address, chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Alhaji Muhammad Musa Bello said the success of hajj activities in Nigeria and at Saudi Arabia depend not only on the eighteen members of NAHCON's Board of Directors but also on the contribution and cooperation of all Nigerians. Therefore, he said, it is the wish of NAHCON to complete the over one hundred and fifty flights of the country's pilgrims to Jeddah in 22 days that would take place across eleven airports in the country.
Governor Danjuma Goje, on his part, commended the agencies of Federal Ministry of Aviation for the enormous support the state enjoyed in technical advice for the successful completion of the airport. Goje was particularly grateful to Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Nigeria Metrological Agency.
Present at the occasion were the Governors of Nasarawa, Alhaji Aliyu Akwai Doma, Kwara, Dr. Bokula Saraki, Adamawa, Alhaji Murtala Nyako, Bauchi, Alhaji Isa Yuguda and Kebbi, Alhaji Sa'idu Nasamu Dakin Gari as well as two deputy governors from Taraba and Borno states.
Meanwhile in Abuja yesterday, pilgrims from Nasarawa state remained at Gwagwalada Camp waiting for their flight.
The Nasarawa pilgrims were initially scheduled to be airlifted from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at 11:00am yesterday.
Even though Kabo Air officials were busy registering pilgrims' passports at Gwagwalada Hajj Camp, some pilgrims who spoke to Daily Trust were of the view that it was the same flight scheduled for their airlift that was diverted to Gombe for the airlift ceremony.
Speaking on the sudden change, the Abuja Zonal Coordinator, Umar A T Bala, stated that the flight had been re-scheduled to take off last night.
He said the sudden change therefore will not affect the initial arrangements as according to him "we are still going to finish with Nasarawa pilgrims by 19, and start with that of FCT the same day."
He further said that the intending pilgrims under his zone included pilgrims from FCT, Nasarawa, and Kogi states, with additional pilgrims from Minna in Niger State.
According to him, the operational arrangement of the flight will be "five and half flight from Nasarawa, FCT six and half, and they are all to be airlifted by Kabo Air, while that of Kogi would be airlifted by Med View Airline."
For the smooth running of the operation, he said, all the documentations for pilgrims will be done right in the camp, at Gwagwalada, saying "we appeal to the relevant security agencies that all the documentations and departure formalities should be concluded right at the comp."
In case of any unnecessary delay, he said, the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) had earlier on entered into an agreement with Air Carriers. The agreement stated, "if pilgrims are at the airport and there is no aircraft, the airline would be sanctioned, and if on the other hand, the aircraft is on ground and pilgrims are not there, the state will also pay the penalty."
Umar also said, in case of what he described as "operational delay", Abuja Zone in collaboration with airport authorities would provide a "waiting hole for the pilgrims, to wait for one to two hours."
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