Mecca With Agency Report — President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's wife, Turai, left for Saudi Arabia with some family members yesterday to perform the Hajj. THISDAY learnt that the First Lady spent most of yesterday with the husband who has undergone medical tests at an unnamed hospital in Jeddah.

It was not clear last night if the results of the tests were ready but Turai is expected back in the country on Sunday after completing the rites. She left the hospital late yesterday for the Holy City of Mecca to participate in the Hajj rites, which are expected to continue today with the climbing of Mount Arafat. Also yesterday, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), in a statement signed by his Special Assistant, Onov Tyuulugh, yesterday said he was in touch with the president amid rumours on Yar'Adua's health.

Reports indicate that bad weather has disrupted the start of the Muslim pilgrimage, as an estimated three million people from across the world prepare to assemble on mount Arafat today to perform the Hajj. A total of 85,347 pilgrims from Nigeria were airlifted to the Holy land a week ahead of the closure of the King Abdul Aziz International Airport, a first time feat in history of the annual ritual. BBC reported yesterday that heavy rainstorms hampered Hajj activities , as fears over swine flu is expected to keep 40 per cent of local pilgrims away. Meanwhile, the Amirul Hajj and leader of the Federal Government delegation, Senator Kanti Bello stated that smooth airlifting of pilgrims has come to stay.

"I am determined to leave a legacy. Am trying to establish a system that will give pilgrims value for their money from the time they leave home (Nigeria) and return," said the senator. He added that "I am determined to see that pilgrims return home in the same order they left. I will not entertain shunting". Bello who is also the Chief Whip of the Senate assured that his team would ensure that the return airlift is concluded well ahead of the December 26th, 2009 time frame. He disclosed that his team had convinced the various states governments to provide meals to their pilgrims during the 3-day stay in Mina when the actual hajj is conducted. The Saudi Ministry of Interior was yet to give an exact figure of pilgrims performing this year's hajj until tomorrow Friday when the official number of hajj permits and the number of illegal pilgrims will be made public. Eid-el-Kabir festival starts tomorrow.