By Luqmon Balogun, Saudi Arabia
The Lagos State government through its Welfare Pilgrims Board has began airlifting of the pilgrims that took part in the just concluded 2023 holy pilgrimage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia back to Nigeria.
About 380 of the pilgrims of the First Batch that departed King AbdulAzeez International Airport, Jeddah on Monday have since arrived in Lagos.
The flight described as a ‘Special flight’ by the Amir-ul-Hajj, Mr Anofiu Elegushi, has the elderly ones, those with medical challenges and others that consist of 185 male and 195 female pilgrims on board.
Elegushi urged them to allow the exemplary conducts they exhibited whilst in the holy land reflect in their dealings with others in every human endeavors when they return to Nigeria, so that people can find them worthy of emulation.
He also appealed to the pilgrims yet to be airlifted to exercise patience as necessary plans have been put in place to ensure that everyone was airlifted back to Nigeria within the shortest period of time.
Meanwhile, the second batch of the pilgrims are already at the King AbdulAzeez International Airport, Jeddah hoping to be airlifted later today, Tuesday.
Confidence Okwuchi
