Hajj 2019: Edo State announces date for pilgrims’ airlifting

The Chairman, Edo State Muslim Pilgrim Board, Sheik Ibrahim Oyarekhua, has disclosed that the state intending pilgrims for this year’s Holy Pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia would be airlifted on the July 20.

Sheik Ibrahim disclosed this on Monday in Benin while speaking with Daily Trust on the state’s preparation for this year’s pilgrimage.

He said “tentatively, we have been given July 20 date for airlift of the state pilgrims by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). So, hopefully, our pilgrims will be in Medina between 20 and 23 at most. Airlift of pilgrims is done by NAHCON.”

He explained that not less than 130 intending pilgrims would perform this year’s Hajj in the state, noting that the total number was 131 but that one of the pilgrims died last week.

“The Hajj fare for the state intending pilgrims is one million, four hundred and thirty eight thousand naira and the state had commenced refund to some of the pilgrims who had earlier paid N1.5 million as directed by NAHCON.”

According to him, the intending pilgrims would be vaccinated few days to their departure in Benin and would also be sensitise on how to perform Hajj without hitches.