The first batch of Nigerian pilgrims have left for Saudi Arabia as the inaugural airlift for 2018 pilgrimage began on Saturday.
The pilgrims from Kogi State, departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja by 11 am, and will fly straight to Prince Muhammad bin Sultan International Airport, Madinah.
President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the FCT Minister Muhammad Musa Bello, advised the pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the country.
He urged them to pray for Nigeria to overcome her security and other socioeconomic and political challenges.
Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad thanked the President for the support and understanding towards ensuring a hitch free Hajj exercise.
The chairman commended the Kogi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board for keeping to arrangement, which ensured the successful inaugural ceremony at the Abuja airport.
On his part, the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria, Adnan Mahmud Bostaj, assured Nigerian pilgrims that the kingdom has made all necessary arrangements to receive the guests of Allah and to ensure their comfort and well being before, during and after the Hajj rites.
He, however, appealed to the pilgrims to strictly adhere to Saudi rules and regulations, which are not punitive, but meant to serve them better.
