All the 497 pilgrims airlifted from Ilorin zone, comprising Ekiti, Ondo and Kwara states via the Ilorin international Airport to Saudi Arabia for this year's hajj pilgrimage have arrived safely in the Holy land.

They are now in Medinah on visitation to various holy sites as part of their Hajj rites.

They were airlifted Sunday night at about 10:11pm in a Saudi Arabia Airline 'Fynas'.

One of the pilgrims, who spoke with VON correspondent in a telephone interview, Mallam Alaran Yunusa Abubakar described the arrangement put in place so far by the state government and the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board on the airlifting of pilgrims and the early commencement of the flights as appropriate.

In a related interview with the Executive Secretary of the State Muslim Pilgrims Board, Hajia Fatimoh Abolore Jimoh confirmed that all arrangements have been concluded to ensure a smooth airlifting exercise.

The Executive Secretary disclosed that the remaining intending pilgrims from the state would be airlifted in three batches with 500 pilgrims' configuration per flight.

Good Ambassadors

Meanwhile, the 2015 Kwara State Amir Hajj and Etsu Patigi, Alhaji Ibrahim Chatta- Umaru has advised the pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state and Nigeria at the holy land.

He emphasised the need for the pilgrims to avoid any act that could drag the image of the state and country in the mud and urged them to pray fervently for the success of the President Mohammadu Buhari led administration, particularly in the fight against insurgency.

Alhaji Chatta warned the Pilgrims against peddling hard drugs and excess luggage to save themselves and the image of the country from being tarnished.