Sokoto conducts first flight of 485 intending pilgrims to Madinah
From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
The first flight of 485 intending pilgrims from Sokoto State for the 2026 Hajj exercise left the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto, at about 6.14am on Monday.
Our Correspondent in Sokoto reports that the Aquiline Aircraft owned by UMZA Airline headed straight to the Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah.
The intending pilgrims on the inaugural flight from Sokoto State hail from Tambuwal, Tureta, Wamakko, Sabon Birni, Isa, Shagari and Dange/Shuni Local Government Areas.
Bidding farewell to the intending pilgrims, Gov. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, represented by his Deputy, Engr. Idris Muhammad Gobir, assured them that the state government has made all the necessary arrangements to ensure their welfare and security to and from Nigeria.
According to Dr Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, the state government will leave no stone unturned in ensuring the conduct of a very successful Hajj exercise.
While urging them to be good ambassadors of the state and Nigeria, the Governor said that Sokoto State people are known to always be of good behaviours, peaceful, disciplined and law-abiding anywhere they find themselves across the globe.
Dr Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, therefore, admonished them to exhibit good qualities, reminding the intending pilgrims that Hajj is an extremely spiritual journey that should not be ruined by insolence.
The Governor also urged the intending pilgrims to offer fervent prayers for themselves, the state and the nation in general, noting that prayers during Hajj are always pungent and readily answered by the Almighty Allah.
Also addressing the intending pilgrims, the 2026 Amirul Hajj and the Chairman of the State’s Hajj Committee, Alhaji Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, Katuka Sokoto, expressed hope that the exercise will be issues-free.
Alhaji Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, who is also the Minister of Labour and Employment, expressed delight with the entire processes so far, adding “all the authorities are on alert to ensure a hitch-free Hajj exercise.
” Five flights will be conducted for the 2,404 intending pilgrims from Sokoto State for this year’s Hajj exercise and all the necessary arrangements have been made by the state government to ensure a very successful Hajj.
“The Airport is very okay and everything has been set in motion to ensure 24-hour operations, both day and night.
“We have set up various subcommittees to diligently discharge our assignment with a view to ensuring the welfare, smooth transportation, feeding, accomodation and other essential services both at home and in Saudi Arabia.
“So far, so good, and there is no cause for alarm. I am hugely satisfied with I have seen so far.”
The Minister, again, admonished the intending pilgrims to respect the laws of Saudi Arabia and conduct themselves in strict accordance of the Islamic Shari’a.
“Sokoto people are always known to be peaceful and respectful anywhere they find themselves across the world.
“The intending pilgrims should therefore conduct themselves in accordance with the spirit of Islam and brotherhood, ” the Katukan Sokoto further appealed.
