Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has urged the 825 intending pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj to be good ambassadors.
Aiyedatiwa, represented by Alhaji Amidu Takuro, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, made the charge during the farewell ceremony organised by the State Muslim Welfare Board in Akure.
“It is imperative to all the intending pilgrims in Ondo State to be a good ambassadors of the state and Nigeria at large.
“Adhere to the rules and regulations of Saudi Arabia authority and shun whatever that could damage the image of the state throughout the exercise in the holy land,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa, who commended the State Muslim Welfare Board for the increased number of intending pilgrims, said that the increment indicated satisfaction with the services rendered by the board.
Alhaji Moshood Kewuyemi, Muftasir of Akure Kingdom, who delivered a lecture at the programme, urged the intending pilgrims to fear Allah during the pilgrimage and always adhere to the rules and regulations in the Holy Land.
Alhaji Zikrullahi Chandy Adam, Amir Hajj, who would lead the Ondo contingent, explained that the intending pilgrims have been divided into two batches.
Adams said the pilgrims were expected to spend 35 days in the Holy Land before returning to Akure, Ondo State.
“The first batch comprising 415 pilgrims will be departing the state on Wednesday, May 6 for Ilorin, where they will be airlifted on Thursday, May 7 2026.
“While the second batch comprising 410 pilgrims, will depart on Thursday, May 7 for Ilorin and will be airlifted on Friday, May 8, 2026, to the Holy Land,” Adams said.
Present at the occasion were the Chief Imams of Owo Kingdom, Alhaji Anola Yunus, Chief Imam of Ikare, Alhaji Muhammed Abbas, Chairman of the Ondo State league of Imams and Alfas, Alhaji Bashir Alimi.
Also, the chief Imam of Akure Kingdom, Alhaji Abdul Hakeem Yayi-Akorede and the Grand Mufty of Ondo State Alhaji Surajudeen Batuta.
It was reported that the intending pilgrims had earlier been vaccinated against oral polio, yellow fever, cerebrospinal meningitis, COVID-19 and influenza ahead the pilgrimage rite.
