Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Friday, May 9, arrived at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri, Imo state for the inaugural Hajj flight.
A historic event, the Vice President visited Imo state alongside the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar and other dignitaries from across the country.
They were received at the airport by the Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma and other officials of the state government.
Stanley Nkwocha, the senior special assistant to the vice president on media and communications said, 315 pilgrims from three states – Abia, Imo and Bayelsa – have been scheduled to depart for the 2025 Hajj via the Sam Mbakwe Airport.
Nkwocha in a post on X wrote, “This historic event marks the first international departure from Imo Airport, with 315 pilgrims from Imo, Abia, and Bayelsa states scheduled to depart today, May 9, 2025, on Air Peace flight for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.”
He noted that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria is collaborating with the Imo State Government to oversee the airlifting of the pilgrims.