Each of the 160 intending pilgrims going to perform this year’s hajj from Osun State but were yet to be airlifted on Wednesday received a sum of N15,000 each.

About 1,432 pilgrims from the state had been airlifted to Saudi Arabia, with the remaining 160 still in Nigeria, awaiting their flight to the Middle East nation.

A release by the Executive Secretary, Osun State Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board, Mr Muritala Fakunle, on Wednesday, said the last batch of pilgrims from the state, comprising 325 pilgrims were to be airlifted on Sunday.

He, however, said due to a delay in the flight schedule, only 165 were airlifted, leaving 160 pilgrims awaiting the next schedule.

Fakunle, who explained that the gesture of the state government was a result of a rescheduled flight, also said the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Kazeem Akinleye, gave the affected pilgrims the said amount on behalf of the state government.

Addressing the pilgrims, Fakunle appealed to them to remain calm and patient, as efforts were being made to ensure their early airlift to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“The government of Osun State, through the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, has given a cash of N15,000 to each of the 160 pilgrims from the state who are yet to be airlifted to Saudi Arabia.

“This gesture came as a result of rescheduling flights of the last batch from 26th May 2024 to 29th May 2024. The last batch comprises 325 pilgrims to be airlifted on Sunday, 26th May, 2024 but due to delay in the flight schedule, only 165 were airlifted,” he said.

Source: https://punchng.com/160-intending-Osun-pilgrims-get-N2.4m-after-delayed-flight

Devil stoners.

Saudi enjoying free money every year from gullible people same with Israel.

Every year waste billions no difference and nothing to show for it . 5billion student loan , 90 billion Pilgrimage . Okay then .

Waste of resources. Of what value is this to the economy of the country

Na wa o , I thought they left last week to the Airport . Alhaji is sponsoring my VIP Hajj Trip next year ...I am putting him on notice , Dr Tajudeen can take care of My Jerusalem Trip, so I can add Alh and JP to my name....They should do everything to lessen their stress o ....

Nigeria we hail thee 😂

I like this gestures from our Governors
They are becoming presidential materials for this act

Lol

The people's attitude keep getting worse, yet the trip to Mecca is getting more popular ...Saudi will keep smiling to the bank

Lol more money for boxing, not everyone will get it here

Every year pilgrimage yet people's characters keep getting worse. Most religious country and also most corrupt. Who is fooling who?

D

N15,000 for what? This country is a huge joke. Is it for eba, is it for beans and dodo

Nigeria must be restructured or destroyed!

How many people Nigeria don help?

Lol...



If they're wise Dem suppose carry that money go start business or farming cause after pilgrimage there's Sapa of....


I remember when I was still doing factory work den there's a man with this Mecca teeth I always wonder why not jus take the money when you got this Offer now u don go come back and start hard labor...

I honestly think this sort of things be banned... It doesn't add to us as a nation. If the number of people that goes for these pilgrims are really impactful to the society: morally, economically and socially then we'd have been a better a nation...but the reverse is actually the case..

It stands against reason to criticise the government if you as a person would ever go to hajj or embark on a Christian pilgrimage taking government sponsorship. Money wey them suppose use do better things for the country, na im una don share so o.

Ok o

Headline says N2.4m article says N15,000. I didn’t know Nairaland has joined traditional news media is misleading by clickbaiting ?

CodeTemplar:
Devil stoners.

Get out!

I can't believe that Yorubas are part of the people joining the government to plunder the resources of this country.. I used to think it's only Hausa people that are using religion to scam Nigeria

I STILL CANT AND DONT SEE GOVT BUSINESS IN PRIVATE PILGRIMAGE!MOST ARE THERE ON BUSINESS EITHER LEGIT OR NON LEGIT!THEY EVEN GO MORE THAN SIX TIMES!WHY SHOULD THE GOVT GIVE THEM ANY FORM OF SUBSIDY AT ALL

I seriously believe the total money spent on pilgrimage in the past 10years should at least be reviewed to let us see the returns of investment of such huge amount... The government should let us know what benefits we have by lavishing money from FG level to state levels.
We shouldn't continue wasting the scarce resources just because some religious folks feels they are entitled

drevillway:
Saudi enjoying free money every year from gullible people same with Israel.

Yep and any government that tries to stop it will be castigated 1) by the public 2) by political opponents looking to score cheap points...so let the madness continue until we decide to have sense

Tell somebody to tell someone that I want this to

Rubbish

The Geometric Power Plant in Aba was built with N10 billion. Residents are getting up to 18 hrs supply daily.

Tinubu spends N90 billion to sponsor religious pilgrimage.

Nigerians live in darkness and businesses suffer for lack of electricity.

That is the master strategist at work.