
By Sade Williams
Medview Airline Plc on Thursday, airlifted 640 pilgrims from Ilorin airport to Saudi Arabia, making it the second airport, the airline had so far airlifted pilgrims.
Four days ago, it airlifted a total 1,140 from the Kaduna International airport.
Speaking during the inaugural ceremony in Ilorin, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, managing director of Medview Airline, called on State government officials to also help in educating the pilgrims on the dos and don’ts of the Holy Land.
While disclosing that a B747-400 and another B767-300ER were stationed to carry the pilgrims from Ilorin, he said those from Ondo and Ekiti States would be airlifted on August 9.
He said thereafter, the airline would move to Lagos, North and the East for the same operations.
While admonishing the pilgrims and those in charge in Kwara State, he said: ‘I seek cooperation in supporting the pilgrims, ensuring that they in secure environment and eventually have safe flights.
“One of the major things is for an individual pilgrims to know the rules and regulations, it has been said that no single pilgrim should move around alone in Saudi Arabia, except they are in a team. Their uniform, which is their identity is unique, they can identify each other with it.

“There is also the need for State government officials to create awareness, they need to know that the rites come fiorst before any other business. As for us in Medview, we have set the pace, others follow, we have over 11 years experience in hajj operations. As for every pilgrim that depart with Medview, they know when they will come back, we don’t allow pilgrims to carry luggage aroiound, we deliver them to their doorsteps”, he said.
Also speaking, the Amirul Hajj, who is also the deputy Vice Chancellor of Kwara State University, Professor Jamiu Suleiman, urged the pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the State and Nigeria as a whole.
“Do not abandon your religious rites for mundane things, we urge you to pray for the Nigeria and President Muhammadu Buhari”, he said.
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