Kaduna, Jigawa airlift pilgrims to Saudi Arabia 'As Benue pilgrims set for departure

About 500 pilgrims from Igabiand Zangon Kataf local government areas of Kaduna State have been airlifted to Saudi Arabia, from the Kaduna International Airport.This is coming on the heels of the appointment of the Regional Editor, North-West of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of Tribune titles, Mr Hassan Ibrahim, as the head of the press/media for the state hajj team in Saudi Arabia, by Governor Ibrahim Yakowa.Speaking to the pilgrims before their departure, Governor Yakowa, who was represented by the state's Amirul Hajj and deputy governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalam Yero, urged them to respect the laws of the holy land and pray for the peace and progress of the state, the nation and for the Nigerian people.Also, the aircraft with the first batch of the Jigawa State pilgrims, numbering about 550, left the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport for Saudi Arabia at around 2.30 a.m on Thursday for the 2011 hajj exercise.Addressing the pilgrims, state Amirul Hajj and Emir of Hadejia, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar Maje, called on the pilgrims to be of good behaviour and to avoid any act that could disgrace the state and country in general.In another development, the chairman, Muslim Welfare Board, Benue State, Alhaji Ahmed Baba, has said 540 intending pilgrims to this year's hajj from the state will depart in a few day's time.
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