The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) will conclude the Post-Hajj movement of pilgrims to Nigeria on Sunday, October 9, 2016 with the airlift of the last batch of Kano pilgrims by Max Air Limited into the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.

The development is coming eight days ahead of the official deadline of 17th October, set by Saudi Arabia for the completion of post Hajj movement by all the countries that participated in this year's Holy Pilgrimage.

A statement issued on Friday by Muhammad A. Musa (Danbaba) Information Officer l,

Office of the NAHCON Chairman/CEO said the commission’s giant stride has received both national and international commendation from individuals, groups and organisations who described the feat as unprecedented in recent times.

He said the Saudi Arabia Deputy Minister of Hajj, Muhammed Bin Abdulrahman Bijawi, while paying tribute to the NAHCON achievement expressed satisfaction over the various arrangements made by the Commission throughout the Hajj exercise.

He said that the good performance of the Nigerian contingent has contributed in no small way to the overall success recorded by the Ministry and therefore admonished the Management of the Commission not to rest on its oars but strive to make further improvements in the areas of challenge.

Meanwhile, the NAHCON Chairman/CEO, Barr Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad (MON), has expressed gratitude to all the stakeholders involved in the 2016 Hajj arrangement and coordination for making the exercise a big success.

He stated that without the support, encouragement and cooperation of all, the Commission might not have recorded the resounding success it did. He particularly acknowledged the contribution of the leader of delegation of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, who is also the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji (Dr.) Yahaya Abubakar, and the members of the Ulama Council to the successful Hajj operation.

Barr. Abdullahi further paid glowing tributes to the three participating Air carriers – Medview Airline, Flynas and Max Airline – for their performance, which he described as incredible and excellent.

In his words, “The performance of the three airlines was marvelous and a thing of joy. Throughout the two legs of the exercise, none of them missed any of their allocated slots for any reason and our pilgrims didn’t spend more time than necessary while waiting for their flights as they were on hand to airlift them promptly.”

It would be recalled that the return journey of the 66,000 Nigerian pilgrims that performed this year’s Holy Pilgrimage commenced on the 17th September 2016, after the completion of 5-day Hajj rites with the airlift of Kogi, Kwara and Oyo pilgrims by Flynas and Max airlines from the King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) Jeddah.

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