*Photo: Alhaji Hassan with other NAHCON officials on arrival at Jeddah International Airport*
Chairman/CEO, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, (NAHCON) Zikrullah Kunle Hassan arrived Saudi Arabia on Friday, 23 June, 2023 following the completion of airlift of Nigerian pilgrims across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory which he supervised.
The NAHCON CEO landed at Jeddah International Airport , alongside the Commission’s Management Team and 139 officials via Flynas at 23:20hrs Saudi time with 156 pilgrims.
Speaking at the final batch of the airlift ceremony of Niger State pilgrims at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja on Friday before leaving Nigeria, Alhaji Hassan expressed satisfaction with the airlift exercise.
According to him, “There are many things for us to be greatful, this years operation is about the first time in ten years when we are going to the kingdom of saudi Arabia with the total number of over 95,000, it has taken a while for Nigerian pilgrims to get this number.
“And the beauty of it is that despite the number, we are able to airlift all the states pilgrims and I must say that even those of the tour operators who are challenged, by 2:am, In Sha Allah after midnight today, the last of the tour operators pilgrims chartered airplane will leave Lagos.
“We are safe to conclude that every operation managed and micro managed by NAHCON as far as airlift is concern are going to be in the Kingdom and partake in the Arafat.”