File photo of Nigerian pilgrims departing for hajj
The first set of Nigerian pilgrims on Saturday left for Saudi Arabia to begin this year’s pilgrimage.
The departure, with faithful from Kogi State, left from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja.
Apex News gathered that the flight is due to land at Prince Muhammad bin Sultan International Airport, Madinah.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad praised President Muhammadu Buhari for the support and understanding towards ensuring a hitch free Hajj exercise.
The President was represented by the FCT Minister Muhammad Musa Bello, who urged the pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the country.
Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria, Adnan Mahmud Bostaj, assured the pilgrims that the Kingdom has made all necessary arrangements to make their stay comfortable.
Apex News gathered that NAHCON officials had departed for Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to make arrangements ahead of arrival of Nigerian pilgrims.
The officials are made up of the National Medical and Accommodation teams, who are expected to set up clinics in Madinah and Makkah to ensure proper handling of accommodation for pilgrims.
About 95,000 pilgrims are expected to perform the pilgrimage from Nigeria.
