The 2025 Hajj has officially started for Kwara State pilgrims, as the first group of 560 people left Nigeria on Monday. Their flight took off from the Babatunde Idi-Agbon International Airport in Ilorin.
Before their departure, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, speaking through his Special Adviser Saadu Salaudeen, encouraged the pilgrims to be on their best behavior. He asked them to act with dignity and to make Kwara State and Nigeria proud while in Saudi Arabia.
The governor also reminded the 2,174 total pilgrims from Kwara to pray for Nigeria and the state. He emphasized the importance of peace and unity in the country.
He further advised the pilgrims not to get involved in any actions that could bring shame to the state or the country. He urged them to remain peaceful and respectful to others during the pilgrimage.
The Chairman of the State Pilgrims Board, Professor Mashood Mahmood Jimba, and the Amirul-Hajj for this year, Oba Ismail Yahaya Alebiosu, also gave words of advice. They told the pilgrims to keep good conduct throughout their Hajj journey.
The Executive Secretary of the Board, Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, explained that all 2,174 pilgrims will be taken to Saudi Arabia in four different flights as part of this year’s Hajj arrangements.
The first batch flew with Max Airline and left Ilorin at around 12:40 p.m. on Monday, beginning their spiritual journey to the holy land.
