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The vice president flagged off the 2013 Hajj inaugural flight in Maiduguri.
The Vice President, Namadi Sambo, has charged airlines operators and officials of the 2013 Hajj operations to ensure strict compliance with new rules that expect female pilgrims to travel with male guides (Maharams).
The vice president warned that those who flout the directive will be appropriately sanctioned.
He gave the charge while flagging off the inaugural flight for the 2013 Hajj operations in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The event which held on Saturday at the Maiduguri International Airport, had over 520 Borno State pilgrims on board the Max Air Boeing 747 Aircraft.
In 2012, Saudi officials deported 241 Nigerian women who travelled for Hajj, for not travelling with male chaperones (Maharam), prompting a diplomatic row between the two countries.
Nigerian officials responsible for organising the hajj at the time said that three planes were turned back from the Saudi city of Medina, while a further 1,000 women were held in detention centres in Mecca, some for up to five days.
Under Saudi law, women are regarded as minors who require permission from a male relative to work, leave the country or, in some cases, receive medical treatment.
Mr. Sambo, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan, stated that the choice of Maiduguri was a signal that peace had finally returned to Borno State.
“The choice to hold the Hajj 2013 inaugural flight in Maiduguri is indication of Government’s efforts at ensuring that the protection of lives and property of the Nigerian citizenry is sacrosanct. It is also to send signals that peace has finally returned to Maiduguri and its environs, “he said.
Mr. Sambo extended the president’s felicitations to Nigerian pilgrims and officials, imploring them to be well-behaved and good ambassadors of the country, while also calling on them to offer special prayers for the country.
“This administration has always been supporting of the welfare of the Muslims. In that regard, the administration has assisted Nigerian pilgrims through the provision of Consular, medical and exchange support services through the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria,” he said.
“Let me enjoin all pilgrims to dedicate themselves to spiritual revival of their souls so that they can achieve good life on earth and aspire for an eternal bliss in the hereafter.”
He expressed Nigeria’s appreciation to Saudi Arabia authorities for their continued support and the warm reception accorded him and his entourage during the Lesser Hajj (Umrah) earlier in the year.
The vice president commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, and its state counterparts for working tirelessly to ensure a hitch free hajj. He also extended his appreciation to the Sultan of Sokoto and permanent National Amirul Hajj, Sa’ad Abubakar III, for his invaluable contributions to the success of hajj operations.
In his remarks, the Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, said the event was not only unique and important but was the first in recent times in the state, noting that it was a positive development indicative of the return of peace in the state.
He expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for holding the event in Borno, saying that it was a part of confidence building. He prayed almighty Allah to grant the pilgrims “Hajj mabrur,” stressing that the state would continue to provide comfort to pilgrims.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Mr. Abubakar, on his part, said the presence of the Vice President was noteworthy. He expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for giving concessions to both pilgrims and airlines in terms of currency exchange and other airport charges.
He called on pilgrims to shun all vices while in the “holy land” and tasked security agencies to be vigilant in ensuring that no pilgrim carried prohibited materials. He appealed to the air carriers to strictly follow laid down flight schedules.
Present at the event were Deputy Governors of Borno and Yobe States, Umar Mustapha and Abubakar Aliyu; the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Goni Aji; Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Kachalla Abubakar; federal and state legislatures; top federal and state government officials as well as several Royal Fathers and Muslim clergy.
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