The Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Ilorin, North Central Nigeria, has finalised all arrangements for the airlift of pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj.
Following this development, the Board has announced that the inaugural flight for the state’s intending pilgrims will depart on 12 May 2025.
The Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, made the announcement on Sunday in Ilorin during an enlightenment programme organised for the intending pilgrims.
He stated that all 2,174 registered pilgrims would be airlifted to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in four batches.
According to him, “Each flight will carry 550 pilgrims, and they will be transported in four batches. Our inaugural flight is scheduled for the 12th, the second flight for the 14th, while the third and fourth flights are slated for the 16th and 17th of May, respectively.”
Alhaji Abdulsalam further disclosed that visas for 2,125 intending pilgrims had been processed, with the remaining expected to be ready by Monday, 28 April 2025.
Vaccination and medical screening for all pilgrims are also set to commence on the same day.
He added that the pilgrims would be airlifted directly to Saudi Arabia from Babatunde Idiagbon International Airport, Ilorin, via Max Air.
The Executive Secretary noted that uniforms for the intending pilgrims would be distributed by Wednesday, while luggage bags would be issued by Friday.
He assured that the Board had secured comfortable accommodation and quality catering services for all pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
The enlightenment programme was attended by several dignitaries, including the Amirul Hajj and Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Oba Barrister Ismail Yahya Alebiosu; the Chairman of the Board, Professor Mashood Jimba; and representatives from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), NAFDAC, NDLEA, Nigerian Customs Service, FOMWAN, among other stakeholders.
Stakeholders advised the intending pilgrims to avoid travelling with prohibited items and to refrain from any conduct that could tarnish the image of Kwara State or Nigeria at large.
The Grand Khadi of Kwara State, Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen, also addressed the pilgrims, taking them through the practical aspects of the Hajj rites.
He urged them to purify their intentions and to commit themselves fully to the observance of all rites during their pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
