The first batch of 313 intending pilgrims and officials from Kwara State were on Tuesday airlifted from Tunde Idiagbon International Airport, Ilorin to Saudi Arabia.
The Air Peace Airline which airlifted the pilgrims took off at around 11:30am.
The departure of the pilgrims was witnessed by the state’s Amirul Hajji, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, a representative of Governor AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq and special adviser on Special Duties, Alh AbdulRazaq Jiddah, the Pilgrims Board chairman,Prof. Moshood Jimba and other members of the board.
Speaking before the departure of the pilgrims, Senator Oloriegbe advised them to be good ambassadors of the state and Nigeria.
He urged them to pray for President Bola Tinubu, the state governors and other political office holders.
