By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
Pilgrims compensated for flight delay
Each of the 160 intending pilgrims from Osun State, who faced a flight delay on Wednesday, received N15,000 each. These pilgrims were among the 1,432 from the state set to perform this year’s hajj in Saudi Arabia, but they were still in Nigeria awaiting their flight.
According to a statement from Mr. Muritala Fakunle, Executive Secretary of the Osun State Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board, the last group of 325 pilgrims was supposed to depart on Sunday. However, due to a delay in the flight schedule, only 165 pilgrims were airlifted, leaving the remaining 160 waiting for the next flight.
Fakunle explained that the state government’s gesture was in response to the rescheduled flight. Mr. Kazeem Akinleye, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, distributed the compensation on behalf of the state government.
Addressing the pilgrims, Fakunle urged them to stay calm and patient, assuring them that efforts were underway to facilitate their prompt airlift to Saudi Arabia.
“The government of Osun State, through the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, has provided N15,000 in cash to each of the 160 pilgrims still awaiting airlift to Saudi Arabia,” Fakunle stated. “This gesture is due to the rescheduling of the last batch’s flight from May 26, 2024, to May 29, 2024. Initially, 325 pilgrims were set to be airlifted on Sunday, May 26, 2024, but due to flight delays, only 165 were airlifted.”
pilgrims, airlifted.
Pilgrims compensated for flight delay