₦airaland Forum

Stanley Nkwocha @stankeynkwocha_

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

FG Flags Off Inaugural Airlift Of Pilgrims For 2025 Hajj In Imo State

* As VP Shettima applauds Gov Uzodimma for fostering religious tolerance, mutual respect, inclusion

* Charges intending pilgrims to conduct themselves in line with Nigerian values

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima @officialSKSM, on Friday, flagged off the Federal Government's inaugural airlift of pilgrims from Nigeria to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj, with a charge to intending pilgrims to ensure their conduct throughout their stay in the holy land reflects the values Nigeria holds dear.

The grand ceremony at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State, South East Nigeria, marked the airport's first international departure. A total of 64,188 Nigerians are billed for this year’s pilgrimage.

Flagging off the inaugural airlift, Senator Shettima applauded Governor Hope Uzodimma @Hope_Uzodimma1 for promoting unity, religious tolerance, mutual respect and inclusion by hosting the inaugural flight ceremony in his state, noting that the gesture is emblematic of Nigeria unfolding into harmony with itself as a nation.

"Let me also take a moment to commend His Excellency, the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for fostering this atmosphere of religious tolerance, mutual respect, and inclusion. His support is both heartening and symbolic of a nation coming into harmony with itself," he stated.

VP Shettima conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's goodwill to the pilgrims, saying, "The President, in his characteristic foresight, has once again made available all the necessary resources to ensure the success of the 2025 Hajj.

"This commitment reflects our administration’s covenant with the people to protect, to support, and to elevate every Nigerian, in every sphere of life," he added.

The Vice President cautioned the pilgrims against overlooking the dignity of the Nigerian flag they are carrying, even as he reminded them that the success of the Hajj operation rests on their shoulders.

His words: "And to our dear intending pilgrims, know that you are more than spiritual travellers. You are ambassadors of Nigeria. You carry with you not only your faith, but also the pride and dignity of this nation. Your conduct, your devotion, and your unity must reflect the values we hold dear. This responsibility is not light. It is noble.

"Distinguished guests, the success of this Hajj operation rests on all our shoulders. If any of us falters, whether a logistical officer who overlooks a detail or a pilgrim who forgets the dignity of the flag he carries, the consequences could turn what should be a joyful experience into yet another avoidable catastrophe. We must not let that happen."

The VP urged logistics officers to treat their duties as an assignment entrusted to them by God, just as he maintained that they must avoid the mistake of previous exercises, and "ensure that every pilgrim departs and returns with a heart full of gratitude and a voice free of complaints.

"There is no room for negligence where lives, hopes, and sacred obligations converge," the Vice President warned.

He expressed gratitude to the leadership of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (@NAHCONNigeria ), including stakeholders who worked behind the scenes, for coordinating the 2025 Hajj exercise and making its operations a success.

Earlier, Governor Hope Uzodimma @ described the moment as a significant milestone in the state’s aviation history.

He said, "For us in Imo State, it's a moment of pride. The airport, built over 40 years ago through communal efforts, reflects our history, how far we have come. The steps we took to reposition the airport for international operations are a thing of joy to the people of Imo State and the neighbouring States."

The Governor thanked President Tinubu for all the approvals that made the inaugural airlift possible," highlighting the economic significance of the flag-off, which he said will open investment doors for Imo State.

The Governor also revealed plans to fly Christian pilgrims from the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, saying "next month, Christian pilgrims will still depart for the holy pilgrimage from this airport and it's a testament to our inclusive governance and religious harmony."

On his part, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Mohammad Sa'ad Abubakar III, commended the governor of Imo State for promoting religious tolerance and peace in the state.

"This event is a big statement that in this blessed country called Nigeria, we still have people like the Governor of Imo State who stood up so tall to ensure that this programme was held in Imo.

"And I believe this is an important message to all and sundry that if we want our country to move forward, we have to respect one another, we have to respect various religious beliefs, we have to tell ourselves religion is an individual personal matter between one and their Creator, the Almighty.

"But uniting one another is our problem - it is our issue that we must face. And I think Imo State has been doing this for some time," he said.

Also, Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (@NAHCONNigeria), Prof. Saleh Usman, described the inaugural flight as "the first of its kind in the region, and a testament to the level of religious harmony the Imo State Governor is promoting in the region."

Prof. Usman disclosed that of the total number of 64,188 pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj, 315 pilgrims from Imo, Abia, and Bayelsa States are scheduled to depart on Friday aboard Air Peace flight for the 2025 Hajj from the Imo State Airport.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, extended special greetings from the Senate, wishing all "intending pilgrims journey mercies," just as he prayed Allah to accept their Hajj.

Other dignitaries present included Deputy Governor of Imo State, Chinyere Ekomaru; House of Representatives members representing Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala federal constituency, Hon. Matthew Nwogu, and Aba North/Aba South federal constituency, Hon. Alex Ikwechegh; Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Chike Olemgbe; former Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim; Chairman of the Council of Imo State Traditional Rulers, Eze Emmanuel Okeke, among many others.

Stanley Nkwocha
Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications
(Office of The Vice President)
9th May, 2025

https://x.com/stanleynkwocha_/status/1920873604692005315?t=-PYvzM9kalzWQNsmP2Db4g&s=19

Stanley Nkwocha @stankeynkwocha_

HAPPENING NOW:

Excitement at Sam Mbakwe International Airport as some of the 315 intending pilgrims from Imo, Abia, and Bayelsa states are lined up, ready to board the historic first international flight from Owerri.

VP Shettima, Governor Hope Uzodimma, the Sultan of Sokoto, HRH Alhaji Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III, CFR, NAHCON officials, and many other government officials are present as Air Peace prepares for takeoff to Saudi Arabia. #Hajj2025

https://x.com/stanleynkwocha_/status/1920849785394786628?t=UZa7G2TyTjqAU7S3jlOjVg&s=19

Stanley Nkwocha @stankeynkwocha_

VP Shettima Arrives Owerri Airport To Flag Off 2025 Hajj

Vice President Kashim Shettima @officialSKSM has arrived at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri and was warmly received by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma @Hope_Uzodimma1 and other senior government officials.

The Vice President is in Owerri to flag off the inaugural 2025 Hajj flight. This historic event marks the first international departure from Imo Airport, with 315 pilgrims from Imo, Abia, and Bayelsa states scheduled to depart today, May 9, 2025, on Air Peace flight for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (@NAHCONNigeria) is collaborating with the Imo State Government to oversee the programme.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDPZcvPfnK8?si=q0OaYuJhYC5PD_Vx


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7xbLHxxpiY?si=61-tgt1Qbmy-fjxb

VP Shettima Arrives Owerri Airport To Flag Off 2025 Hajj

Vice President Kashim Shettima @officialSKSM has arrived at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri and was warmly received by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma @Hope_Uzodimma1 and other senior government… https://t.co/MSEhPrZR08 pic.twitter.com/LGuRFxoj0M

— Stanley Nkwocha (@stanleynkwocha_) May 9, 2025

naptu2:
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Stanley Nkwocha @stankeynkwocha_

JUST IN:
In accordance with Igbo tradition, Governor Hope Uzodimma @Hope_Uzodimma1 has presented kola nuts to visiting Vice President Kashim Shettima @officialSKSM alongside the Chairman, Council of Imo State Traditional Rulers, Eze Emmanuel Okeke, at the Sam Mbakwe Airport. The VP is in Owerri to flag off the maiden international Hajj flight from Imo State. #Hajj2025

https://x.com/stanleynkwocha_/status/1920819553447055619?t=Ya1_2t10d4zshIOfP67XWg&s=19

E don set

Sponsorship of pilgrimage either to Mecca or Jerusalem is complete waste of money. Do they do that in UK or US? Religion is a personal thing

God Bless Federal Republic of Nigeria

Waste of taxpayers hard earned money.
We pray and fast, yet na we wicked pass

Have a fruitful and peaceful Hajj, brethren

nonesense people doing nonsense things. Of what value is prograge when dele need to eat

keep wasting funds. maybe one day a critical sector in Nigeria will start working after enough pilgrimage jamboree.

Another avenue for some to cash out billions.

C h a i..











...and the next thing is to start stonìng people to dèath, àmputàtion, and bèhèàding in Imo State.

Imagine an ìgbo man being a jìhadìst,,

Which one is hajj airlift from Imo state again?

Whats Uzodimma doing in that Imo exactly?

FREE NNAMDI KANU first

We must stop hopeless Hope from using imo State for his Hausa Fulani love life.

Rochas tried all these and we all know how these demons backstabed him Las las

Why did this make news?.

Nigerians are free to travel from any part of the country to anywhere they have travel approval to visit.

Shameless poor country.
What's the benefit of this trash and it also include those going to other places for same religious purpose

Alhaji Chinedu. How is that one possible

I thought paying of subsidy for pilgrims is the thing of the past! Foolish leaders

Waste of public funds, money to set up industry to give job to people, no wonder dem dey call una underdeveloped country

Imo of all states. Lol

Aboki people

And what next?

Wasting another tax payer money again on something that suppose to be personal funding.
Kwantinu

optionalY09:
nonesense people doing nonsense things

Lol, nonsense thing?!

Will you go to imo state for your international flight? If they didn't allocate pilgrimage there will Nigerians volunteer to use the airport that fast, not everything you see you have to condemn and think it is meaningless because you can't figure out major things!

HOPE UZODINMA WAS NEVER ELECTED BY IMO STATE PEOPLE



SO, WE WILL JUST SIT BACK AND LAUGH

CRIMINAL AIDING CRIMINALS TO CRIMNAL VENUE ABROAD.

mohbadliveson:
Sponsorship of pilgrimage either to Mecca or Jerusalem is complete waste of money. Do they do that in UK or US? Religion is a personal thing

u are right because it has not made the country any less corrupt or safer or better.

Ok

SMH

Most pensioners are being owed. Salaries are yet to be paid to some workers. Workers welfare is so bad.

There are lots of issues in that state and in Nigeria.

But guess what? The government still decided to be bankrolling pilgrims to go for Hajj in Saudi Arabia and for pilgrimage in Israel.

How does these sponsorships help the country? Absolutely zero.

These trips are supposed to be funded by individuals who are interested in going. Religion is a personal choice.

With all these zero impactful decisions and actions, some still believe that Nigeria would be better.

The money spent on all these and other stuffs that doesn't matter can go a long way in doing other things that'd bring about development.

Most of the primary healthcare centres are not well equipped and properly staffed.

What are Nigerians even asking for? Provide a safe country/state, provide electricity for people, provide access to quality healthcare, provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, etc. Other things we do it by ourselves.

If you're still here expecting a great country, REMEMBER THIS POST THIS DAY - With this mentality of the masses and crop of politicians in Nigeria, we all would die and yet the country won't be better.