The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is set to airlift Nigerian pilgrims back home from Saudi Arabia after the successful completion of the 2022 Hajj operation.
Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Zikirullahi Kunle Hassan, made this disclosure at the Hajj-post Arafah stakeholders’ meeting, held in Saudi Arabia.
The airlift, which is subject to approval by GACA, will commence on Friday, July 15, 2022.
Hassan assured Pilgrims that the homeward airlifting would be a “first-in-first-out,” option which will be more coordinated and orderly.
The NAHCON boss thanked Allah for the successful 2022 Hajj operations, in spite of many challenges and hiccups experienced due to late approval by the Saudi Arabian authorities in the unveiling of guidelines, delay in issuance of visas to Nigerian pilgrims, flight cancellations and other logistics lacuna.
Alhaji Hassan reiterated his commitment to an improved Hajj operation and to uphold lessons learnt from the 2022 Hajj for better performance in the subsequent exercises.
Speaking at the event, Chairman Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Adamu Bulkachuwa, congratulated all Nigerian pilgrims who performed the 2022 hajj, praying to Allah to accept it as an act of ibada and a much more successful hajj.
He said despite hitches experienced at the initial stage, NAHCON did its best.
In a remark, the Chairman, House Committee on Pilgrimage, Hon Abubakar Nalaraba called on the Commission to endeavour to airlift pilgrims back home in good time while assuring NAHCON that his Committee will continue to work closely with the Commission for improved and successful Hajj operations.
