Hajj 2023: NAHCON Boss Arrives Saudi, Sets to Complete Airlift of 95,000 Pilgrims

Hajj 2023: NAHCON Boss Arrives Saudi, Sets to Complete Airlift of 95,000 Pilgrims

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem, in Makkah

The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, has arrived in Saudi Arabia after ensuring that all 95,000 Nigerian pilgrims are either in Makkah already or about to land.

The Chairman arrived at the King Fahd International Airport, Jeddah on Friday, alongside his management team and other officials of the Commission.

Speaking at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Friday as the final batch of Niger state pilgrims were about to take off, the
NAHCON boss described the ability of the Commission to airlift all its pilgrims on schedule as historic.

The Chairman further expressed gratitude to the Almighty Allah for making the entire exercise a success despite the initial hiccups.

“There are many things we need to be grateful for, this year’s operation is about the first time in ten years that we are going to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the total number of 95,000 pilgrims.

“And the beauty of it is that despite the number we are able to airlift all the state pilgrims and I must say that even those of the tour operators who are challenged, by 2am today (Saturday) Insha Allah, the last batch will leave Lagos,” he said.

He also stated that a flight that will depart Nigeria by 2pm on Saturday is strictly for NAHCON officials.