The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has announced that the first aircraft of Nigerian pilgrims for the Hajj practice in 2023 will depart the nation for Saudi Arabia on May 25.
At the inauguration of the media team for the exercise in 2023 on Thursday in Abuja, the Chairman of the Commission, Zikrullah Hassan, made this announcement.
According to Mr. Hassan, Nasarawa State pilgrims will be the first to go for Hajj.
He said that the advance team will leave for Saudi Arabia on Sunday to get ready for the Nigerian delegation. The commission has finalized the necessary arrangements, he said.
“Every pilgrim will get value for money in terms of the money they paid for service.
“Insha Allah, we are fully prepared, all registered Nigerian pilgrims will be airlifted. Our plan still remains that our advance team proceed to the holy land on the 21 May, which is just in three days.
“An advanced team of Hajj officials will depart to the Holy land on Sunday to prepare for the reception of Nigeria’s pilgrims,” he said.
Speaking to the media team, Mr. Hassan asked them to report on the 2023 Hajj thoroughly while upholding journalistic standards.
The commission is prepared and willing to offer information when necessary, he assured the team. He emphasized that throughout the exercise, the team must adhere to all applicable local regulations.
Sulayman Momoh, the commissioner of planning, research, and policy management, urged cooperation between the commission and the media in his speech in order to make the 2023 Hajj flawless.
Saudi airports will open for the first aircraft bringing pilgrims to the 2023 Hajj on Sunday, May 21, and closing for arrivals of Hajj planes on Thursday, June 22. This is all according to the schedule provided by the Saudi administration.
