By Alabi Olawale
The Osun State Muslim Pilgrims' Welfare Board has successfully concluded the airlift of all its intending pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj exercise, as the final batch of 291 pilgrims touched down safely at Prince Muhammad Bin Abdul Aziz International Airport in Madinah in the early hours of Sunday.
The final contingent departed the Lagos Hajj Terminal Wing of Murtala Muhammed International Airport at 5:45 pm on Saturday and arrived in Madinah at 3:27 am local time, corresponding to 1:27 am Nigeria time, completing what has been a carefully coordinated airlift operation by the Board.
Leading the final batch was the Chairman of the Board, who also served as the Amir'l Hajj, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Maruf Olawale Ishola, alongside the Executive Secretary, Mr. Muritala Fakunle. A total of six officials of the Board were on board the flight to ensure seamless coordination and continued welfare oversight of the Osun State contingent throughout the Hajj exercise.
Before their departure from Lagos, the Amir'l Hajj, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Maruf Olawale Ishola, charged the outgoing pilgrims to strictly adhere to the rules governing the Hajj exercise.He urged them to conduct themselves with decorum and serve as worthy ambassadors of Osun State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria throughout their stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Administrative Secretary, Mr. Muritala Fakunle,used the occasion to express deep appreciation to the Osun State Governor, His Excellency, Governor Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, for his unwavering support towards the welfare of the intending pilgrims. He noted that the Governor's gesture of providing drugs and essential medical supplies for the pilgrims was a clear demonstration of his commitment to their health, comfort, and overall well-being as they undertook the sacred journey.
With the departure and safe arrival of the final batch, a total of 687 Osun State pilgrims are now on ground in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Earlier batches, who had arrived ahead of the final group, had already been engaged in spiritual activities and visited several historical sites associated with the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) in Madinah, enriching their pilgrimage experience ahead of the Hajj proper.
The last batch of pilgrims are expected to visit the holy sites in Madinah including the Prophet's Mosque before proceeding to Mecca to join their fellow Osun State pilgrims at the designated camp, ahead of the commencement of the main Hajj rites.
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