By Umar Faruk, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency (KESPWA) has commenced preparations for the 2025 Hajj operation, with a meeting held on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, between the government delegation and the agency's chairman and board members. A closed-door meeting is currently ongoing to finalize arrangements for the flag-off ceremony, scheduled for Thursday, May 9, 2025, at Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi.
The meeting, chaired by the Amirul Hajj and Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Muhammad Mera, and assisted by the chairman of KESPWA, Alhaji Faruku Aliyu Yaro Enabo, aims to ensure smooth airlift of pilgrims from across the 21 local government areas of Kebbi State to Saudi Arabia. According to a reliable source, about 95% of the arrangements for the airlift have been completed, including visas, BTA, identity cards, and accommodation in the holy land. The pilgrims will be airlifted directly from Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport to Madina Airport.
The chairman of KESPWA emphasized the agency's preparedness to airlift pilgrims to the holy land, stating that they have engaged Flynas Airline for the operation. He urged pilgrims to be law-abiding citizens while in Saudi Arabia and to desist from carrying any incriminating items. "We are ready to airlift our pilgrims even today as I speak now, if the flag-off can be fixed today, aside from the earlier date announced.
"We are ready, it will not take us more than two to three hours to assemble all our pilgrims for the first and second flights," he said.
The list of first and second flight has already been pasted at the notice board of the agency, and copies have been issued to the local government Hajj guard's of Shanga and Suru for their readiness at the local government level. This development has shown the agency's level of preparedness and commitment to ensuring a successful Hajj operation.
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Hajj