The Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has confirmed the successful departure of the second batch of intending pilgrims from the state to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj exercise.
The group, consisting of over 400 pilgrims, departed from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos in the early hours of Tuesday aboard a Saudi-bound aircraft amidst prayers, chants of Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik, and visible excitement.
Speaking shortly before their departure, the Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Dauda Salau, reaffirmed the commitment of the state government to ensuring a smooth and spiritually rewarding pilgrimage experience for all its pilgrims. He noted that the state had put in place adequate logistics, including health checks, welfare provisions, and travel coordination, to ensure pilgrims face minimal discomfort during the holy journey.
“We have worked diligently to ensure that Ogun State pilgrims are well prepared, spiritually and physically, for this important religious obligation. Governor Dapo Abiodun remains committed to supporting the spiritual development of our people,” Salau stated.
He also commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for its support and collaboration in facilitating a seamless airlift operation, noting that the exercise is in line with the guidelines and calendar set for the 2025 pilgrimage season.
Residents of communities surrounding the NAF base have expressed appreciation for the military’s outreach. “They are not just here to protect us; they are showing us that they care. Our children can now go to better schools, and we feel safer knowing the Air Force is close by,” said Mallam Usman, a local community leader in Dutsi Local Government Area.
The initiative falls under the NAF’s broader civil-military relations agenda, which aims to win hearts and minds in conflict-prone areas, ultimately fostering trust and cooperation between security forces and civilians. The leadership of the Air Force under Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has consistently emphasized that sustainable peace requires more than just firepower — it requires human compassion, development, and presence.
As Katsina continues to recover from years of insecurity, the Nigerian Air Force’s contribution is offering more than protection — it is delivering a message of nation-building. In the words of a senior officer stationed at the base, “We are not just building bases; we are building hearts, homes, and hope.”
The first batch of pilgrims from Ogun had departed earlier in the week, and preparations are already underway for subsequent flights to ensure all registered pilgrims make it to Saudi Arabia ahead of the commencement of Hajj rites.
Nigeria is expected to airlift over 95,000 pilgrims this year, with states carrying out the operations in batches under the supervision of NAHCON. The Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, is scheduled to begin in the third week of June 2025, depending on the lunar calendar.
Authorities have urged all pilgrims to remain disciplined, law-abiding, and focused on the spiritual essence of the pilgrimage while representing Nigeria positively in the kingdom
