Wednesday July 19, 2023
The last batch of Oyo pilgrims have returned to Nigeria from Saudi Arabia where they performed the holy pilgrimage to Islamic holy sites in Madinah and Makkah.
The pilgrims, which left Jeddah at 10 pm on Tuesday night landed safely at the Murtala Muhammed Airport at 4:30am on Wednesday morning after a six hour journey.
The last batch, numbering 464 pilgrims, comprise the remaining pilgrims from the state as well as personnel and members of the State Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board and some top government officials.
Recall that the pilgrims left Nigeria for Saudi Arabia on the night of Saturday July 3, 2023 to partake in this year’s hajj exercise alongside over two million other Muslim faithfuls from Nigeria and 160 countries of the world.
The arrival of the last batch completed the return of the 1446 Oyo pilgrims from Saudi Arabia.
The pilgrims expressed gratitude to Allah, Governor Seyi Makinde and the State Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board for the successful spiritual trip.
The Chairman Oyo State Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board Professor Sayed Malik similarly thanked the State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde for his support which he noted was responsible for the success of this year’s hajj operations.
