Vice President Kashim Shettima has officially flagged off Nigeria’s inaugural flight for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, marking a historic departure from Owerri, the capital of Imo State.
The event, which drew top dignitaries, saw Mr Shettima arrive alongside Senator Abubakar Bello, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Honourable Jafaru Alli, who chairs the House Committee on Hajj Affairs.
They were warmly received by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, traditional rulers, and officials of the Hajj Commission.
Addressing attendees as the special guest of honour, Vice President Shettima praised Governor Uzodimma for hosting the flag-off, urging the crowd to give him a standing ovation.
“The Hajj is not just a spiritual journey but a national assignment that unites faith, duty, and dignity, which binds us by a solemn duty to guarantee the welfare of our people wherever they may be,” he said.
He called on all stakeholders involved in the pilgrimage to maintain high standards of discipline, excellence, and accountability.
“There should be no room for negligence where lives, hopes, and sacred obligations converge,” Shettima warned, describing their responsibility as a divine trust.
To the pilgrims, he offered a reminder of their duty as ambassadors of the nation, urging them to embody good behaviour, unity, and patriotism during their sacred journey.
He also extended President Bola Tinubu’s well wishes, noting the president’s full support and provision of essential resources for a successful Hajj season.
Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Abdullahi Usman, expressed appreciation for the vice president’s continued support.
He disclosed that 64,188 Nigerians have registered for the 2025 pilgrimage and confirmed that 315 pilgrims were onboard the first flight, making it the first major Hajj departure from the South-East.
Mr Usman also commended the federal government’s role in resolving issues around Basic Travel Allowance using credit cards.
He further lauded Governor Uzodimma’s efforts in promoting religious unity in the region.
Following the ceremony, pilgrims boarded an Air Peace aircraft en route to Saudi Arabia.
Shortly afterward, additional groups of pilgrims also departed from Bauchi State via Max Air.
