ABEOKUTA – The Secretary-General, Ogun State Muslim Council, (OMG)Alhaji Kamal’deen Akintunde on Monday described the first international flight from Gateway International Airport as a “second commissioning” for Ogun’s Muslim community, saying the airlift of 2026 Hajj pilgrims had ended decades of grueling road trips to Lagos.
“For the first time in our nation’s Hajj operations, the Ogun contingent began their spiritual journey from the comfort and tranquillity of their home Alhaji Akintunde said in a statement.
“This magnificent facility has effectively eliminated the logistical bottlenecks and perennial challenges that pilgrims traditionally face.”
The milestone flight from Iperu-Remo on Sunday marked the official start of international operations at the airport once dismissed as a “Cargo Airport.”
Akintunde called it a “triumph of vision” and a “day of profound history.” “If you cannot make history, you should be part of it,” he stated.
He commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for “visionary leadership” in ensuring the airport met all mandatory international requirements.
“He has transformed a ‘Cargo Airport’ into a functional reality and a seamless ‘Gateway to the Holy Land’,” Akintunde said.
The OMC scribe recalled that two years ago at the government’s annual Iftar at Oke-Mosan, he publicly predicted that.the uncompleted airport would serve both Muslim and Christian pilgrims.
“To see that vision manifest yesterday, with international flights commencing through a spiritual undertaking, is a good omen for the sustainability of future domestic, foreign, and cargo operations,” he said.
While celebrating, Alhaji Akintunde urged government to complete all ancillary facilities and prioritize “meticulous maintenance” to sustain international standards at Gateway International Airport.
He charged the departing pilgrims to act as ambassadors in Saudi Arabia: “You carry the image, the hopes, and the prayers of millions. Intercede for our country. Pray for Nigeria to overcome its current security and economic hurdles. Pray for our leadership, that Almighty Allah may grant them the wisdom and compassion to navigate our nation’s multiple challenges.”
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Alhamdulillah Robil Aleemin for the successful airlift of Ogun State Hajj Prigrimages,This indeed is a landmark historical breakthrough that will forever be part of the history and success of His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun and a great achievement for the prigrims board and also a moving forwards agenda of the Ogun State Muslims Council led by His Royal Majesty,Prof(Oba)Saka Matemilola and the Secretary Asiwaju Kamaldeen Akintunde.
ReplyDeleteWe are proud to be part of the history as a member of Ogun State Muslims Council and Safety officer on standby at the Gateway international Airport.
May Allah bless all the Hujjaj with complete ibadah,Safely journey and ease all their prayers with positive response.
May Allah bless us too with next Hajj with ease.
God bless Nigeria
God bless Ogun State
God bless Ogun State Muslims Council.