Hajj 2023: Lagos Reschedules Airlifting Of Intending Pilgrims To Later Date

Eko Hot Blog reports that the ongoing airlifting of Lagos State intending pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2023 holy pilgrimage exercise has been rescheduled to June 14th and 15th.

According to a statement posted on the state government’s website late Monday night, Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi, the immediate past Commissioner for Home Affairs, made the disclosure while addressing the yet-to-be-airlifted intending pilgrims at the Shamsi Adisa Thomas (SAT) Mosque, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, on Sunday.

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Elegushi noted that the initial dates given by Flynas Airline for the airlifting exercise, which was announced during the One-Day Seminar held at De-Blue Roof, Lagos Television (LTV) ground, Agidingbi, Ikeja, was between Sunday, June 4 and Saturday, June 17.

The former home affairs commissioner explained further that Lagos State was privileged to kick-start its airlifting early on Thursday, June 1, because the States that were originally scheduled for airlifting between June 1 and 3 were not ready to airlift their pilgrims, hence, the state made use of the opportunity when approached by the airline to bring the state’s intending pilgrims for airlifting.

He added that the affected states are now ready to airlift their intending pilgrims between June 10th and 13th.

Former Lagos Commissioner for Home Affairs, Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi;
Former Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters, Alhaji Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe; a Board member, Hon. Lolade Shonibare and the Board Secretary, Mr. Saheed Onipede, amongst others, at the briefing for intending pilgrims

Elegushi noted that as a proactive state, Lagos has been able to airlift 3,110 intending pilgrims out of a total allocation of 3,644 to Saudi Arabia since the commencement of the airlifting exercise, saying that amongst the 36 states in Nigeria including the FCT, Lagos is the first to have accomplished such a feat.

While assuring the few remaining intending pilgrims that they would be airlifted as rescheduled, Elegushi urged them not to be discouraged but to “take the situation as the will of Almighty Allah.”

He also enjoined them to return to their respective homes to enjoy the company of their families and await further announcements in due course.

The former commissioner tendered an unreserved apology on behalf of the State for any inconveniences the situation might have caused them.

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Elegushi was joined at the briefing by the former Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters, Alhaji Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe; a Board member, Hon. Lolade Shonibare and the Board Secretary, Mr. Saheed Onipede, amongst others.

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