Namadi Sambo, who performed the opening of the airlift on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan, requested the pilgrims to offer special prayers for the country to contain the various challenges it is facing.
“I believe all pilgrims are aware of the challenges facing our country. These challenges require not only dedication of the leadership but also prayers from every pilgrim. We should therefore be persistent in our prayers for peace, progress and prosperity of our beloved country.”
The Vice President reminded the pilgrims of their spiritual obligations as they perform the Hajj and called on them to dedicate themselves to the spiritual revival of their souls so that they could achieve “good life on earth and aspire for eternal bliss in the hereafter.”
He prayed to God for their safe airlift and successful Hajj pilgrimage even as he called on them to conduct themselves with decorum during th exercise.
Namadi Sambo was happy with improvement in airlifting of pilgrims to the Holy Land, adding that Nigeria has been able to meet the deadline set by the Saudi authorities.
“I am glad to note that the days when Nigeria requested for extension of time from Saudi Arabia because of our inability to beat the airlift deadline for the closure of the King Abdulazeez International Airport are gone for good.”
He equally commended the Nigeria Hajj Commission for its improved performance by overcoming numerous challenges that confronted it before.
“We note the improvement in performance of Hajj operations in Nigeria. I urge the leadership of the Hajj Commission to see this improvement as a motivation to propel it to greater height so that Hajj operations in Nigeria will tow the line of International Best Practice.”
He said
He added that the federal government has been supportive of the welfare of all Muslims through the Hajj commission through renderin assistance to the pilgrims with consular, medical and exchange support services.
“While the government will continue to meet these primary and essential needs, it is important that the commission works towards being more self-sustaining and self-financing.”
The Vice President assured Nigerians that federal government is doing everything possible to contain the spread of the Ebola virus and has promised to continue supporting all the states in the federation.
According to him, the federal government has, in addition to the N200million support fund to Lagos state, earmarked the sum of N1.9billion as support for states to contain the spread of the deadly virus.
He added that this support has also been extended to some neigbouring countries to contain the spread of the disease.
In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto and Permanent National Amirul Hajj, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar commended the efforts of the federal government in containing the spread of the dreaded Ebola virus in the country which, he said, has made this year’s Hajj possible.
He warned the pilgrims to adhere strictly to the rules and regulations governing the performance of Hajj and to present themselves to all necessary medical tests to be carried out on them.
The Sultan also called for special prayers by the pilgrims to defeat all the evils in the country, even as he urged all Nigerians to join hands in bringing to an end the security challenges facing the country.
The Oba of Lagos and this year’s National Amirul Hajj, Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale, advised the pilgrims to conduct themselves with decorum and to be honest. He asked them not to engage in any act capable of tarnishing the image of the country.
He appealed to the pilgrims to stay clear of commercial interests and be steadfast in their Hajj obligations even as he appealed to the Federal Government to increase its funding to the Hajj Commission, particularly in the area of security.
In his own remarks, the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello said that the first set of 530 pilgrims from Jigawa state would be airlifted today at the Dutse International airport to mark the commencement of the airlift of pilgrims for this year’s Hajj.
According to the commission’s Chairman, there are twelve designated departure centers in the country, including four new centers in Enugu, Bauchi, Kebbi and Dutse. These are where the first set of pilgrims would be airlifted.
He expressed his gratitude to the federal government for the support it has extended to the commission, which, he said, has made it possible for it to move to higher level each year.
Also in his remarks, the host Governor, Sule Lamido expressed gratitude to the National Hajj Commission for the choice of his state as the centre to flag-off this year’s Hajj operation.
He described his role as supportive while calling for prayers for the nation from the pilgrims.
[myad]
