430 Kebbi Pilgrims Leave For Saudi Arabia

Ismail Adebayo in Birnin Kebbi

Four hundred and thirty (430)Kebbi State pilgrims have been airlifted to Saudi Arabia on Sunday for this year's Hajj via Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi.

The pilgrims, comprising of males and females from three local government areas of Jega, Bagudo and Dandi, before their departure around 1:15pm were addressed by the state Amir Hajj, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Chika Malami.

Over 2,000 pilgrims are expected to perform this year's hajj from kebbi state.

While addressing the pilgrims, Malami enjoined them to be careful with their passports and luggage. "Don't accept any other luggage from anybody and don't  give your luggage to any other persons. Be vigilante and remember what happened to that little girl from Jigawa State. 

"Be good ambassadors of kebbi state. When you get to Saudi Arabia conduct yourselves in the manner that Allah will accept your ibadah", he said.

Malami stated that for the comfort of the pilgrims a committee was set up by the state government to make provisions for the pilgrims welfare, health and security. "We also provided facilities and other associated logistics to make the hajji a hitch free one.

"Government has made necessary arrangements for your comfort. May Allah see you through the journey and accept your ibadah.

"The committee has done what they are expected to do. Its now left for you to do what is expected of you when you get to Saudi Arabia. The passport you are holding is what will take you to Saudi and bring you back to Nigeria. I enjoin you to keep it well.

"We thank Governor Atikiu Bagudu for trusting in us by saddling us with the Hajji responsibility.  We also thank him for his commitment in making sure that the pilgrims from Kebbi State are comfortable in Saudi Arabia while performing the Hajj.

Governor Bagudu in his address pray Allah to make the journey easy for the pilgrims. "May Allah take you there and bring you back safely"" he said. He admonished those that are going to Hajj by air for the first time that there was nothing to fear about. "We pray for you to go safely and return safely. But remember to be good ambassadors of kebbi State when you get to Saudi Arabia", Bagudu said.

The governor commended the the state pilgrims committee for putting the necessary facilities and other logistics in place for the comfort and smooth airlift of the pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for this year's Hajj.

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