The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, alongside key members of the Commission’s leadership, personally boarded the aircraft at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State, to oversee and bid farewell to the first batch of Nigerian pilgrims heading to Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj exercise.
In a rare show of solidarity and leadership, the Chairman was accompanied by the Commission Secretary and several Commissioners, reinforcing NAHCON’s commitment to ensuring a seamless and dignified pilgrimage experience for all Nigerian pilgrims. Their presence at the airport signalled the importance attached to this year’s Hajj operations and the strategic role of decentralizing departure points across the country.
Professor Usman and his team joined the pilgrims briefly inside the aircraft before its takeoff, using the moment to offer words of encouragement and prayer. He urged the pilgrims to uphold the values of discipline, devotion, and humility throughout their journey in the Holy Land, stressing the need to be worthy ambassadors of Nigeria.
“This is a sacred journey of faith, and we expect every pilgrim to embody the highest standards of conduct,” the Chairman said. “We are here today not just to supervise, but to share in this spiritual milestone and send our brothers and sisters off with blessings.”
The symbolic gesture was part of NAHCON’s broader operational oversight strategy to ensure that the airlift is conducted efficiently, with attention to the welfare and safety of pilgrims. The Owerri airport, being used for the first time as a Hajj departure terminal, has been fully equipped to meet international aviation standards, with support from state and federal authorities.
With over 400 pilgrims departing from the southeastern zone on this flight operated by Air Peace, NAHCON confirmed that similar supervision and monitoring will be replicated across all designated airports during the 2025 Hajj airlift operations. The exercise, expected to transport more than 65,000 Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, is projected to continue in phases over the coming weeks.
The presence of top officials at the Owerri terminal not only demonstrated NAHCON’s hands-on leadership but also boosted the confidence of the pilgrims and their families. Many expressed appreciation for the Commission’s personal involvement and logistical coordination, which they described as unprecedented in the region.
As the aircraft taxied down the runway and lifted into the sky, the Chairman and his team remained at the terminal, visibly satisfied with the successful takeoff — the first of many in a pilgrimage season expected to be one of the most organized and inclusive in recent years.
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