Each of the 160 intending pilgrims going to perform this year’s hajj from Osun State but were yet to be airlifted on Wednesday received a sum of N15,000 each.
About 1,432 pilgrims from the state had been airlifted to Saudi Arabia, with the remaining 160 still in Nigeria, awaiting their flight to the Middle East nation.
A release by the Executive Secretary, Osun State Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board, Mr Muritala Fakunle, on Wednesday, said the last batch of pilgrims from the state, comprising 325 pilgrims were to be airlifted on Sunday.
He, however, said due to a delay in the flight schedule, only 165 were airlifted, leaving 160 pilgrims awaiting the next schedule.
Fakunle, who explained that the gesture of the state government was a result of a rescheduled flight, also said the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Kazeem Akinleye, gave the affected pilgrims the said amount on behalf of the state government.
Addressing the pilgrims, Fakunle appealed to them to remain calm and patient, as efforts were being made to ensure their early airlift to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“The government of Osun State, through the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, has given a cash of N15,000 to each of the 160 pilgrims from the state who are yet to be airlifted to Saudi Arabia.
“This gesture came as a result of rescheduling flights of the last batch from 26th May 2024 to 29th May 2024. The last batch comprises 325 pilgrims to be airlifted on Sunday, 26th May, 2024 but due to delay in the flight schedule, only 165 were airlifted,” he said.
