New Nigerian Newspapers Online Edition

The airlift of intending pilgrims from Katsina State is progressing as the ninth batch of the pilgrims from Funtua zone numbering 473 took off yesterday for Saudi Arabia. The state Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema spent more than two hours to witness the boarding and take-off of the pilgrims at the Katsina International Airport.

Commenting on the airlift, the governor pointed out that the success being recorded on the exercise being recorded was made possible due to the fact that Kabo Air handling the exercise has been consistent in meeting the state’s requirement on the airlift.

He also attributed the success to the implementation of the recommendations of the reports of ast year’s Hajj committee by the government.

Alhaji Shema also said the success was achieved as government decided to allow the committee to continue working to implement the corrections they recommended to the government.

He said the committee was allowed to scout for the airline for the Hajj operation, issuing of documentation on time, obtaining BTA’s, getting the Hajj camp ready and ensuring that intending pilgrims are organized.

The governor said the state pilgrims normally do not spend more than two hours at the camp due to proper co-ordination between the air carrier, the National Hajj Commission and the local pilgrims.

He therefore thanked Allah that the 2008 Hajj airlift has so far been a successful one with readily available aircraft. Earlier on arrival at the Hajj terminal in the airport, Governor Shema urged the pilgrims to pray for the country and its leaders.