Lagos State has commenced airlifting of its intending pilgrims embarking on the Y2025 Holy pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with 388 pilgrims on board the inaugural flight.
The intending pilgrims left the Pilgrims and Cargo Terminal, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja on board a FLYNAS airline Airbus A330-300 with registration number XY8410. The airline took off at exactly 5.42 pm Nigerian time on Monday, May 12, 2025 with 167 males and 221 females.
The Hon. Commissioner for Home Affairs/Amirir-ul-Hajj, Hon. Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode; the National Commissioner for Operations, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi; members of Y2025 Hajj Central Working Committee (CWC) etc. were among the government functionaries present at the airport to bid farewell to the intending pilgrims on the inaugural flight.
While speaking with journalists at the tarmac, the Amirir-ul-Hajj urged the intending pilgrims to prioritize their spiritual growth by being focused and perform all the Hajj rites as prescribed by the Holy Peophet. He stressed that the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat is very passionate about their well-being and comfort, hence, the series of largesse and free medical screening exercise organized for them in 10 different locations across the State with the aim of ensuring that they are medically fit for the sacred journey.
He urged them to be good Ambassadors of the State by obeying the rules and regulations of Saudi Arabia and conducting themselves as responsive citizens of the State and Nigeria in general throughout their stay in the Kingdom.
On his part, the Commissioner for Operations, NAHCON, Prince Elegushi congratulated the intending pilgrims for being counted amongst those Allah has chosen for the spiritual exercise. He added that NAHCON in collaboration with the States Muslim Pigrims Welfare Boards and other stakeholders are working very hard to ensure that this year’s Hajj surpasses that of last year.
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The Board Secretary, Mr. AbdulHakeem Ajomagberin enjoined the pilgrims to shun any act that could tarnish the image of the State and Nigeria in general. He encouraged them to be law abiding and shun prohibited items.
He emphasized that the airlifting exercise would continue on Tuesday, May 13 as scheduled by NAHCON. He added that there would be a break on Wednesday, May 14 while the exercise would continue on Thursday, May 14 till Saturday, May 17, 2025 which is the last flight of the State.
