Leadership (Abuja)
Abdulaziz Ahmad Abdulaziz
10 November 2008
Kano — Barely four days after the commencement of airlifting in other designated centres across the federation, the Kano zone has also joined in with airlift of 501 intending pilgrims from Jigawa state through the Malam Aminu Kano International Airpor (MAKIA) by the Kabo Air to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia yesterday afternoon.
LEADERSHIP gathered that over 13,000 pilgrims are expected to be flown to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from Kano Zone. The intending pilgrims using the Kano airport are from the host state, Bauchi and Jigawa. The airlift is expected to end before the first week of December.
The 501 pilgrims that departed yesterday were drawn from Hadejia, Birnin Kudu, and Buji local government areas of Jigawa state.
The operation from Malam Aminu Kano International Airport on Sunday brought a relieve to the Jigawa contingents that had reported to camp last Wednesday in line with the National Hajj Commission directives but remained stranded for three days.
Addressing the pilgrim shortly before their departure, the Jigawa state Amirul Hajj and Speaker of the state Assembly, Alhaji Adamu Ahmad commended the contingents for their maturity and good behaviour while at the camp.
Alhaji Adamu Ahmad who was flanked by the Chief of Staff to Governor Lamido, Alhaji Aminu Ringim and the Executive Secretary of the state Pilgrim Board, Alhaji Suleiman Haruna lamented the hitch recorded by the zone, adding that the failure was due to circumstances beyond their control.
The Amirul Hajj told the pilgrims that Jigawa state government has completed arrangements to offer three square meals free thrice a day to the pilgrims through out their stay at the Holy land.
Adamu Ahmad enjoined the pilgrims to be good ambassadors while in Saudi Arabia, adding that they should improve on the good record set by the state over the years. The Speaker therefore advise them to comply strictly to Hajj guide lines to make their temporary stay in Saudi Arabia a memorable one.
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