Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has reiterated his vision to ensure that airlifting of pilgrims from Ibadan to Saudi Arabia for Hajj comes alive.
Makinde spoke yesterday during a farewell ceremony for the 2024 pilgrims. He admonished them to be good ambassadors and not be found wanting in any way.
The governor said regulators have agreed to airlift pilgrims from Ibadan, but with the condition that there will be a stop-over in Lagos for necessary documentation and processes.
According to him, the arrangement does not align with his vision which also led to certain demands being placed on the state.
Part of the requirements, he explained, was the expansion of the runway, widening of the roads that lead to the airport and building of fuel depot for aircrafts to re-fuel. ‘The few things left would be completed in the next 18 months’, the governor promised.
He said: “The first time I came to Olodo, I told our pilgrims that before I leave government, they will airlift from Ibadan airport. Yes, we have been at it, we are trying. It’s been five years now. Part of the problem is that they agreed to airlift from Ibadan, but insisted they will have to stop over in Lagos for some documentation and processing, and I said that wasn’t my vision”.
