VP Shettima In Kebbi To Inaugurates First Flight Of 2024 Hajj With 430 Pilgrims

By Umar Faruk Birnin Kebbi
The Vice-President, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, arrived Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport Kebbi State to inaugurate the first flight of the 2024 Hajj exercise.
The 430 pilgrims from Kebbi state are scheduled for the first flight to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
That a total of 65,500 pilgrims registered across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Agencies and Commissions as well as the Tour Operators are expected to perform this year’s Hajj.
On his arrival at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, Kashim Shettima was received by Gov. Nasir Idris of the state, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III and Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Malam Jalal Arabi.
Others are Sen. Ali Ndume, former Gov. Sa’idu Dakingari of Kebbi, who is the Amirul Hajji of the state, Sen. Abubakar Sani, Sen. Bala Ibn Na’Allah, Minister of State Education, Alhaji Yusuf Sununu, among others.
Already, Flynas, a Saudi Arabian designated airline, and one of the three air carriers selected to conduct the 2024 Hajj airlift, was punctual at the airport, ready to transport pilgrims embarking on the sacred journey of Hajj.
Arabi, was on ground to inspect the aircraft in the company of his three Permanent Commissioners and Commissioner representing North-West.
Also among the entourage are few members of the NAHCON management staff.
The FlyNas team at the inspection was led by Malam Umar Kaila, FlyNas representative in Nigeria.
Arabi advised the airport management to provide additional boarding stairs for the aircraft’s back door to facilitate quicker boarding.
The flynas aircraft, a modern vessel with 436 seats, is scheduled to depart the airport between 12p.m. to 1p.m. Depending on when the ceremonial event marking the beginning of the airlift ends.
Three flights are scheduled to depart Nigeria for Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, Air Peace is scheduled to depart Abuja with 310 FCT pilgrims and five officials.