The governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, has charged hajj pilgrims to pray for peaceful conduct of elections in the state.
A total of 1,000 pilgrims from Kogi State are expected to perform this year’s holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
All arrangements for a hitch-free Hajj operation had been concluded, and disclosed that the first batch of 530 pilgrims was expected to be airlifted tomorrow, October 9.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) had approved October 9 and 14 for the airlift of the state pilgrims, all measures, including logistics, had been put in place to ensure a successful exercise.
The chairman of the state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Danjuma Ibrahim, disclosed that the board had acquired good accommodation for its pilgrims in the holy land, saying efforts are being intensified to make this year’s Hajj operation the best in the last eight years.
Similarly, the board chairman disclosed that the NAHCON has put in place a reception group in Jeddah to facilitate easy movement of Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
He stressed that the Saudi authorities had equally introduced measures aimed at reducing hardship or hazards associated with the exercise, especially stampede at crowded arenas.
Besides that, according to Alhaji Ibrahim, special routes have been created by the government of Saudi Arabia, to ensure that the pilgrims performed the spiritual exercise with ease.
He commended the state government for its commitment, efforts and dedication which, he pointed out, had led to the successes recorded by the board over the years.
