BIODUN AKOMOLAFE
The airlift of Muslims for the 2016 pilgrimage from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia has started with the inaugural flight taking off from the Sultan Abubakar III airport, Sokoto today.
According to the director in Ministry of Transport and Chairman of the Aviation monitoring committee, Adamu Wakil, about 80 thousand pilgrims will be airlifted in the next 5 weeks through flight operations in 17 airports across the country.
Wakil said safety and security infrastructure is being given priority in all airports to ensure seamless passenger facilitation in the exercise.
Earlier Directors from FAAN, Engr Olufemi Ogunode and Capt Henry Omeogu led various technical teams to supervise preparations for the exercise.
The inaugural flight was preceded by an airport ceremony attended by Governors from Sokoto Zamfara States Aminu Tambuwal and Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari respectively, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh Saad Abubakar III and other dignitaries who gave goodwill messages.
Pilgrims from Sokoto and Zamfara states were amongst those that were airlifted on the inaugural flight amidst light showers.
In his welcome remarks, the chairman of National Hajj Commission, Bar. Abdullahi Muktar Mohammed urged pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the country and shun acts that will bring dishonor to their faith and country.
A statement signed by General Manager, Corporate Communications, FAAN, Yakubu Dati said the Airports Authority is providing security and safety oversight to all airports including State owned airports participating in the airlift
