Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has flagged off the airlift of 3,347 Muslim pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for this year’s pilgrimage, urging them to be worthy ambassadors of the state while in the Holy land.
The Governor bid farewell to the pilgrims at the Sultan Saad Abubakar Hajj Camp, Bauchi on Monday evening and urged them to pray for him, his government, the state and Nigeria for peace, harmony and tranquility to reign supreme.
He assured that the government has also made all necessary arrangements for the state pilgrims contingent to Saudi Arabia to be led by the Bauchi Amirul-Hajj the Emir of Ningi, Alhaji Yunusa Muhammad Danyaya supported by members of his team, preachers, guides and medical personnel, among others for a successful hajj.
Bala added that the government has made adequate arrangements in Saudi Arabia to make the pilgrims perform their religious obligation without any hindrance, “We are grateful to Allah that he has given us the opportunity that this pilgrimage will be done in good health and our pilgrims will be airlifted from here to the holy land.
“We have a total of 3,347 pilgrims that will be participating in this year’s exercise from Bauchi State. They have been immunized to give them immunity and protection after Allah’s protection. I pray that God will accept your service.
“Pilgrimage is difficult and we have done everything we can within our power to ensure that we ameliorate your sufferings. We have given our little support to the officials so they can carry out their assignment effectively and you will be fed twice daily with quality food.
“A befitting accommodation has also been secured for you so you can be comfortable while performing this religious obligation,” he said.
He urged them to live in peace and be patient with other pilgrims while in the holy land, there shouldn’t be fighting or quarreling during pilgrimage.
According to him, each of the pilgrims had been given little financial assistance as a palliative to assist them while his wife will also give them her usual assistance.
He called on them to pray for him and his administration to succeed in discharging its constitutional duties.
Bala further said, “As you go on this pilgrimage, we need your prayers. Me that is speaking, needs special prayers so that we can deliver on this huge responsibility bestowed on us for the benefit of the people. This is especially because we were just sworn in today for a second term in office. Remember us in your prayers so that God will take our eyes away from being selfish and make us humble.
“Pray that God will bless us with abundance and make us prosper, may he give us a fruitful farming season in Bauchi State. May he give us peace and make us secure.”
LEADERSHIP reports that the first flight carrying 528 Bauchi State Pilgrims departed from Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport Bauchi to Jeddah in a MaxAir flight VM1005 at about 3:16 hrs on Tuesday 30th May, 2023.
The Executive Secretary of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Imam Abdurrahman Ibrahim Idris expressed delight on the smooth commencement of the exercise.
He was speaking with the press prior to the departure of the flight, describing the exercise as a successful take off.
He explained that the first flight comprises pilgrims from Ningi and Ganjuwa Local Governments as well as those travelling through the Hajj Saving Scheme.
He appreciated Governor Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad for his special interest in the welfare of pilgrims, saying the board will continue to be grateful for the support which guarantees the wellbeing of the pilgrims.
Abdurrahman called on the pilgrims to obey the stipulated rules and regulations of the holy land throughout their stay in Saudi Arabia.
He also charged them to pray for Peace and development of Bauchi State.
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