Vice President Namadi Sambo, is expected to flag-off the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims for the 2013 Hajj at the Maiduguri International Airport, today.

The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi has been appointed as the National Amirul Hajj for this year's pilgrimage.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubukar and Etsu Nupe Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar and other top government functionaries and traditional rulers are expected to grace the flag-off ceremony.

A statement signed by Isa Umar Gusau, spokesman of Governor Kashim Shettima said the Vice President will also commission the newly constructed ultra modern complex of the Borno State Pilgrims Welfare Board situated on the airport road in Maiduguri.

"The Vice President's visit, the second in 2013 to Borno State, is an honour that reassures and boosts the confidence of Borno's citizens especially at the time peace has returned to Maiduguri and also emerging in other parts of the state.

"Governor Shettima joins the Vice President in wishing Nigeria a successful Hajj operation and wishes all pilgrims across the country, a safe trip and Hajj 'Mabroor' so that they attain the spiritual height that is desired," the statement said.

About 76,000 pilgrims are expected to participate in this year's hajj from Nigeria.

Also, the Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims' Welfare Board has said it would put in place informal court in the holy land to "try" recalcitrant pilgrims who circumvent the rules during the 2013 pilgrimage exercise.

Speaking with Weekly Trust shortly after a special prayer/enlightenment programme organised by the board on Friday for intending pilgrims, The Executive Secretary of the Board, Hajia Fatima Abolore Jimoh also disclosed that the first batch of Kwara pilgrims would take off from Ilorin International Airport on Saturday.

No fewer than 547 intending pilgrims whose names were pasted at the board yesterday would be airlifted by Kabo Airline while the airlift of all the pilgrims totalling 1,905 would complete on Also speaking, the state Amirul Hajj, former President of Court of Appeal, Justice Mustapha Akanbi advised the intending pilgrims to handle their money and valuables with care to avoid theft, warning them not to beg for alms in the holy land. He charged them to comply with the rules and regulations stipulated to them.

Boll2010: I can't bliv maiduguri of all places has an INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT..........that desert#

roxell120: waste of valuable money.millions ve been there and nigeria is worse than before they left.its high time they stopped mistaking tourism for holy trip.
misplaced priority .u need to see their luggage while coming back.

lacasa:



U mean to tell us Desert locations shouldn't αve airports


Try and read General knowledge/Geography/educatiional books once in a While.

It will help You

Thank you

Lilaex: Us dat money to fight the once that u send previously to dat so called pilgrim an they came back as terrorist(B.H)

76virgins:

I think u shud start reasoning ryt and reading some stuffs b4 u make such comment. Its obligatory for moslems to perform the hajj once you have the money to do so. So u need Virgins too

roxell120:
I hope being a muslim has nt made u stack illiterate which ure like almajiris.find out their funding by urself if u still ve any grey matter remaining in ur skull

CLIQBOY: pastors,priest and rev. Father going to rome and jerusalem are funded by the president too abi..?? You need urgent brain transplant

Boll2010: I can't bliv maiduguri of all places has an INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT..........that desert#

roxell120: waste of valuable money.millions ve been there and nigeria is worse than before they left.its high time they stopped mistaking tourism for holy trip.
misplaced priority .u need to see their luggage while coming back.

roxell120:
I hope being a muslim has nt made u stack illiterate which ure like almajiris.find out their funding by urself if u still ve any grey matter remaining in ur skull .government funds it thats y they ve a commission for it.all expenses paid.coconut head