Oyo State governor, Engr Seyi Makinde has declared that intending pilgrims performing the 2026 Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from the state will be airlifted directly from the Ladoke Akintola International Airport in Ibadan, the state capital.
Governor Makinde who stated this during the farewell ceremony for the Oyo State Hajj 2025 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia at the Hajj Camp in Ibadan, called on them to pray for Oyo State and the Nigeria in the holy land.
The Governor also enjoined them to be good ambassadors of the state during the holy pilgrimage.
Giving an update on the ongoing upgrade of the airport to international standard, Makinde said the project had been progressing well and has become a reality that will impact the economy of the state positively.
He added that his administration has made huge progress on infrastructure development across the state, noting that the ongoing Ibadan Circular Road and the reconstructed Olodo Bridge will complement the government’s efforts on the Hajj Camp project.
“I went to the airport two days ago and I can tell you that it is a project God has already completed. The airport is now a reality. I am submitting a letter indicating that by the time we want to do next year’s Hajj, we have the capacity to take off from our airport here.
“We are not going to be doing a symbolic take-off, in which you would fly from here to Lagos and take off from that point. No. You will take-off from here till you get to your destination. We hoped for it, worked towards it and God has helped us to actualise the dream.
“What flying out of Ibadan Airport during the Hajj operations of next year would do for us is that Customs and Immigration personnel would be posted there. This will definitely make the airport assume both regional and international status,” Makinde assured.
The Governor equally charged the pilgrims to follow laid down rules and avoid any act capable of tarnishing the image of the state and that of their respective families.
He commended the chairman of the Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing), Sheikh Wahab Atere and members of the Board for the successful planning and coordination of the 2025 Hajj operations.
“I want to urge you, the pilgrims from Oyo State, to pray for the government while praying for yourselves and families.
“Remember to also pray for the Federal Government, because most of the things they do at the federal level always have an impact on what we do at the state level,” Makinde charged.
Earlier, Sheikh Atere, appreciated Makinde for his unprecedented developmental strides and continuous support to the Muslim community and the board towards a smooth 2025 Hajj exercise.
He explained that with the support of the governor, the state had secured visas for all the intending pilgrims, who will be airlifted in two batches on 10th and 11th of May, 2025 without any delay.
Atere added that the board has secured befitting accommodations for all the pilgrims and made other arrangements successfully.
In his lecture, Professor Kamil Koyejo Oloso charged the pilgrims to remain focused and perform the Hajj rites devotedly, spend their money wisely and look out for one another.
Also in their separate goodwill messages, the chairman, Ibadan Muslim Community, Chief Bayo Oyero, and Senator Monsurat Sunmonu appreciated Governor Makinde for his unflinching support, charging the pilgrims not to use the Hajj operations for social visit or tourists’ adventure but as what it is as one of the pillars of Islam.
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