2023 HAJJ:
Lagos pilgrims reschedule to depart for Saudi Wednesday, Thursday
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Hon. Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi (middle) addressing intending Lagos State pilgrims on the rescheduled flights. Flanked by Alhaji Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe (left); Board Secretary, Mr. Saheed Onipede (1st right), and Hon. Lolade Shonibare (2nd right).
The rescheduled airlifting program of Lagos State’s pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will resume tomorrow, Wednesday, 14th June, and last until Thursday, 15th June 2023.
In a media statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the new dates were announced by Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi, the immediate past Commissioner for Home Affairs, who made the announcement while addressing the yet-to-be-airlifted intending pilgrims at the Shamsi Adisa Thomas (SAT) Mosque, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.
Elegushi reminded the pilgrims that the initial dates given by Flynas Airline for the airlifting exercise, were between 4th June and Saturday, 17th June 2023, and were duly passed on to intending pilgrims a couple of months ago.
The former Commissioner explained further that Lagos State was privileged to kick-start its airlifting early on Thursday, 1st of June 2023, because the States that were originally scheduled for airlifting between 1st June and 3rd June, were not ready to airlift their pilgrims hence, the Lagos 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 10th June and 13th June.
Elegushi noted that as a proactive state, Lagos had airlifted 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 was 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.
He tendered an unreserved apology on behalf of the Lagos State Government for any inconveniences the situation might have caused them.
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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