Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Sunday flagged off the 2026 hajj flight to Saudi Arabia, charging intending pilgrims to be of good conduct during the spiritual exercise.
A total of 473 pilgrims from Kogi state were airlifted to Saudi Arabia from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The pilgrims, flown on UMZA flight UMZ3501, departed Abuja for Madinah around 5pm.
Shettima charged the pilgrims to uphold national values that positively reflect Nigeria, and act as ambassadors of the country throughout the pilgrimage.
The vice-president said as representatives of the country on the global stage, the pilgrims must portray the best of the nation while complying with the strict regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“You are ambassadors of Nigeria. You carry with you the image of our nation and the dignity of our people. Let your conduct reflect discipline, humility, patience, and integrity,” he said.
Shettima noted that pilgrimage is a binding covenant between the Nigerian state and its citizens, where the government must uphold its duty of care while pilgrims uphold the values of the nation.
He added that the hajj exercise places a direct responsibility on public institutions to guarantee the dignity, safety, and seamless movement of all pilgrims.
“Our duty is to ensure that every pilgrim undertakes this journey without avoidable hardship, needless anxiety, or preventable setback,” he said.
“We owe every Nigerian pilgrim dignity, safety, order, compassion, and honour. Each pilgrim travels under the banner of our country, and each institution involved carries a sacred trust.
“The success of this operation will not be measured by the number of aircraft that depart alone, but by the comfort of our pilgrims, the orderliness of our processes, and the absence of avoidable hardship. There is no room for negligence where faith, lives, and national reputation converge.”
Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, urged the pilgrims to continue to engage in prayers for Nigeria, particularly for peace and socio-economic development.
Ododo said the hajj exercise remains a rare privilege that requires total devotion to Allah by all pilgrims.