Hajj 2024: NAHCON completes return Airlift of pilgrims prior to deadline
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria ( NACHON ), on Tuesday completed the return airlift of pilgrims from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria ahead of 19th of July , 2024 deadline set by the commission .
A total of 312 pilgrims from Kwara State will be arriving in Ilorin via an Air Peace airline flight, and this marks the 119th return flight .
During the first phase of the Hajj operation, NAHCON ran a total of 121 flights, which has now been reduced to 119 flights for the return journey. The reduction in flights was attributed to the maximum utilization of seats during the return journeys .
The return journey ends three days ahead of schedule being earlier planned .
The Commission’s chartered airlines took 27 days to transport all pilgrims into the Kingdom during the first phase of the Hajj journey, with the return phase now lasting 25 days. By the 25th day of the outbound flight from Nigeria, a total of 47,171 pilgrims were transported, while 50,091 were able to return to Nigeria within the same span of 25 days in the second phase.
The NAHCON Chairman, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, while speaking during the closing ceremony for this year’s Hajj held at the Hajj Terminal, Jeddah Airport, expressed gratitude to the Almighty for the successful completion of the return journey.
He commended relevant stakeholders for their cooperation and the pilgrims for their prayers for their leaders at federal and state levels.
The Chairman urged the pilgrims to continue praying for the success of their leaders and to maintain their good conduct, describing this year’s Hajj achievements as a promise fulfilled.
He expressed optimism that the Commission would achieve greater success next year based on the lessons learned this year.
The Chairman hinted that preparations for the 2025 Hajj have already begun.
In his remarks, the Amirul Hajj, Kwara State, Senator Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, appreciated the NAHCON Chairman for attending to issues brought him promptly.
The Amirul Hajj also thanked the governor of the state on behalf of the pilgrims for his tremendous support.
