By Ibrahim Abdul’Aziz
The first and second batches of 1,052 pilgrims from Adamawa state left the Yola International Airport, to Saudi Arabia.The pilgrims were from both Southern and Northern zone comprising Toungo,Ganye,Jada, Mayo-Belwa,Demsa Numan, Shelleng, Michika, Madagali,Mubi North Mubi South,Maiha,Hong and Song local government areas of the state.
The Executive Secretary of the Adamawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board Alhaji Salihu Danjuma Usman said that ninety eight percent visas had been obtained for the state while the rest were in process.
The airlift of pilgrims had on Wednesday started with hitches as 71 passengers were left stranded at the Yola International Airport .
On Wednesday the Max Air flight carrying Adamawa pilgrims took off at 6.50pm amid grumbles by the stranded pilgrims, their families and officials of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) who criticised immigration officials for delay in processing the travellers’ documents.
Of the 534 passengers scheduled to be airlifted, 463 were released by immigration officials when boarding was still going on. The remaining 71 persons who were later cleared and hurriedly conveyed to the tarmac to join the flight were turned back by Max officials because boarding was over.
Commenting on the issue the Executive Secretary of Adamawa State Pilgrims Board, Alhaji Salihu Danjuma Usman, blamed the screening officials for the problem.
“We call on all officials concerned with the airlift of pilgrims to be forthright in their duties and realise that these pilgrims are worshippers, so they should be treated with respect,” he said.
By Ibrahim Abdul’Aziz
The first and second batches of 1,052 pilgrims from Adamawa state left the Yola International Airport, to Saudi Arabia.The pilgrims were from both Southern and Northern zone comprising Toungo,Ganye,Jada, Mayo-Belwa,Demsa Numan, Shelleng, Michika, Madagali,Mubi North Mubi South,Maiha,Hong and Song local government areas of the state.
The Executive Secretary of the Adamawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board Alhaji Salihu Danjuma Usman said that ninety eight percent visas had been obtained for the state while the rest were in process.
The airlift of pilgrims had on Wednesday started with hitches as 71 passengers were left stranded at the Yola International Airport .
On Wednesday the Max Air flight carrying Adamawa pilgrims took off at 6.50pm amid grumbles by the stranded pilgrims, their families and officials of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) who criticised immigration officials for delay in processing the travellers’ documents.
Of the 534 passengers scheduled to be airlifted, 463 were released by immigration officials when boarding was still going on. The remaining 71 persons who were later cleared and hurriedly conveyed to the tarmac to join the flight were turned back by Max officials because boarding was over.
Commenting on the issue the Executive Secretary of Adamawa State Pilgrims Board, Alhaji Salihu Danjuma Usman, blamed the screening officials for the problem.
“We call on all officials concerned with the airlift of pilgrims to be forthright in their duties and realise that these pilgrims are worshippers, so they should be treated with respect,” he said.
