Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has tasked intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia to follow the laid down rules and regulations.
Makinde gave the directives during his farewell message to intending pilgrims who have been certified to perform this year’s Hajj exercise from the state on Wednesday.
The Governor enjoined the intending pilgrims to avoid any act capable of tarnishing the image of their respective families and that of the state.
He noted that the pilgrims will be airlifted directly from the Ladoke Akintola International Airport, Alakia, Ibadan and tasking the pilgrims to pray for both Oyo State and the federal government in the holy land.
The governor, who urged the intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state, said that the ongoing upgrade of the airport to international standard has been progressing well and has become a reality that will impact the economy of the state positively.
He said: “I went to the airport two days ago and I can tell you that it is a project God has already completed. The airport is now a reality. I am submitting a letter indicating that by the time we want to do next year’s Hajj, we have the capacity to take off from our airport here.
“We are not going to be doing a symbolic take-off, in which you would fly from here to Lagos and take off from that point. No. You will take-off from here till you get to your destination. We hoped for it, worked towards it and God has helped us to actualise the dream”;.
