(SINL NIGERIA) The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima has formally flagged off the inaugural flight for the 2025 Hajj in Owerri, Imo state.
He called for excellence, discipline, and a sense of national responsibility from all stakeholders involved in organizing the pilgrimage.
The vice president arrived in company of Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs; Honourable Jafaru Muhammad Alli, Chairman, House Committee on Hajj Affairs.
On ground to receive the Vice President was the Imo State Executive Governor, Sen Hope Uzodimma , NAHCON Chairman Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, his Commissioners and Board members; His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar; members of the Imo state Executive, Religious and Traditional Council, and others.
Speaking at the historic event, the Vice President called for a standing ovation for Senator Hope Uzodimma for hosting the event, describing him as the hope of Nigeria.
The Hajj he said, is not just a spiritual journey but a national assignment that unites faith, duty, and dignity; which binds us by a solemn duty to guarantee the welfare of our people wherever they may be.
Addressing officials and service providers, the Vice President emphasized the importance of diligence and accountability as a trust from God warning that there should be no room for negligence where lives, hopes, and sacred obligations converge.
He reminded intending pilgrims of the honour they carry as representatives of Nigeria, urging them to uphold values of good conduct, unity, and national pride.
The Vice President also conveyed the goodwill of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the President has made available all necessary resources to ensure the success of the 2025 Hajj.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, expressed gratitude for the Vice President’s leadership and support.
He announced that 64,188 is the total number of pilgrims registered for the 2025 Hajj. 315 will embark on the inaugural flight, first of its kind in this region, a remarkable milestone in the history of Hajj operations in Nigeria.
He applauded the federal government’s intervention in resolving issues related to Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) via credit card and praised Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State for fostering religious harmony.
Tracing the history of the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Governor Hope Uzodimma revealed that the airport was built from communal and individual contributions, first of its kind.
He expressed satisfaction for hosting the event, which is a symbol of religious diversity the state accepts. The governor admonished pilgrims accordingly and prayed for their safe return.
His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto declared that the ceremony holding in Owerri is a big statement-that there are people who still believe in the unity of this country.
He acknowledged how firm and tall Senator Hope Uzodimma stood to host this event. He added that the important message this event holds is that religion is an individual affair but uniting ourselves is a truth we must all face together. He commended the Governor for the religious harmony he is enabling.
The ceremony marks the beginning of the 2025 Hajj airlift operation, which NAHCON aims to complete within two weeks. Pilgrims boarded the Air Peace aircraft immediately after the ceremony.
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