The first batch of 428 intending pilgrims from Ogun State departed for the 2025 Hajj from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at exactly 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, heading to the holy city of Medina, Saudi Arabia.
Addressing the pilgrims before their departure, Ogun State Amirul Hajj Alhaji Samsudeen Apelogun urged the pilgrims to conduct themselves with utmost discipline and integrity, noting that they are not only representatives of Ogun State but also ambassadors of Islam and Nigeria as a whole.
“As you embark on this sacred journey to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, remember that you are ambassadors of Islam. Please ensure that you do not carry any prohibited items, refrain from any actions that may tarnish Nigeria’s reputation, and adhere to the travel cash limit regulations,” he advised.
Apelogun also emphasized the importance of obeying the directives of Muslim welfare officials to ensure a smooth and spiritually rewarding pilgrimage.
“May your journey be blessed, and may you return with spiritual fulfillment and a sense of accomplishment,” he concluded.