The first batch of 560 Kwara State pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj exercise, on Monday departed for Saudi Arabia from the Babatunde Idi-Agbon International Airport, Ilorin.
Addressing the pilgrims before their departure, the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, urged them to conduct themselves with dignity and represent the state and Nigeria honourably during their pilgrimage.
Represented by his Special Adviser and Councillor, Saadu Salaudeen, the governor called on the 2,174 intending pilgrims from the state to pray for the peaceful coexistence of the country and the state in particular.
The Governor charged the pilgrims to avoid any behaviour that could tarnish the image of the state and Nigeria at large and maintain peace and harmony with fellow pilgrims.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Board, Professor Mashood Mahmood Jimba, and the Amirul-Hajj for this year, the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Oba Ismail Yahaya Alebiosu, advised all the intending pilgrims to uphold good conduct throughout the pilgrimage.
In his farewell message, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, said a total of 2,174, pilgrims will be airlifted in four separate flights as part of this year’s pilgrimage operations.
The 560 pilgrims departed the airport aboard a Max Airline, which took off at about 12:40p.m en- route the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
