17th August, 2016
The Kano State Government says it has transported 1,466 out of its 5,808 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2016 Hajj.
Alhaji Nuhu Badamasi, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the state Pilgrims Welfare Board, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Wednesday.
He said that the intending pilgrims were airlifted to the Holy land in three flights by Max Airline.
The spokesman said the third flight left the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport 10 a.m on Tuesday with preachers, medical personnel and some officials of the board.
Badamasi said that accredited journalists for the coverage of the exercise in the Holy land were among the third flight.
According to him, the board has also commenced preparations for the screening of the fourth flight which is expected to take off on Wednesday or Thursday.
He expressed happiness that the airlift, which commenced on Aug. 12, had been hitch-free.
He urged the intending pilgrims to continue to cooperate with the board to ensure the success of the exercise.
Badamasi also advised them to ensure strict adherence to the Saudi Arabia laws while in the Holy land, to avoid prosecution.
He commended Max Air for its commitment toward ensuring the success of the entire Hajj operation.