Photo: From left: Vice President Kashim Shettima, Governor Hope Uzodimma and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar inspect the Air Peace airline preparatory for the airlift of 315 Muslim Pilgrims to Mecca from the Sam International Cargo Airport, Owerri… Friday.
History was made in Imo State on Friday May 9, 2025 as the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, for the first time, hosted international flight from the airport, lifting initial three hundred and fifteen (315) intending pilgrims to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The excitement that heralded the inaugural flight and formal flag off ceremony of the 2025 Hajj Operations reverberated everywhere in Imo State with encomia pouring in for Governor Hope Uzodimma from the high and mighty, particularly from Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, both of who took active part in the inaugural ceremony.
Speaking during the flag off ceremony at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, the Vice President who commended Governor Uzodimma for exhibiting high sense of patriotism and religious tolerance noting that the Governor is a bridge builder.
He equally described Governor Uzodimma as a man who “radiates hope for the nation,” and has an “overall interest of Ndigbo to heart.”
His words: “Governor Uzodimma radiates hope of the nation. He is a bridge builder and has a wonderful destiny. The President has a defender, goalkeeper, attacker and goal scorer in Governor Uzodimma.”
The Vice President who sought for a resounding ovation from the crowd for Governor Uzodimma noted that Ndigbo have always been at the centre of unity and development of the nation, as critical stakeholders.
He reassured the Igbo of the love of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying that the “Igbos remain in the heart of the federal government.”
He reminded the intending pilgrims of the spiritual essence of Hajj exercise and the need to abide by the laws of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia while remaining ambassadors of Nigeria during the pilgrimage.
Senator Shettima used the occasion to call on all Nigerians to foster religious tolerance and live in harmony with one another.
in his speech, a happy Governor Uzodimma said that by hosting the inaugural flight, Imo State government has laid the foundation for a sustainable growth.
The State Governor said that hosting the inaugural flight/flag off ceremony of the 2025 Hajj operation in Imo marked a major step in the economic agenda of the State.
He disclosed that his administration is in further discussions with commercial airlines to include Imo in their international flight networks. “Opening Imo State to to the world is a major step in our economic agenda,” the governor stressed.
Senator Uzodimma who went down memory lane on how the Airport was built over 40
year ago through communal efforts and contributions from Imo indigenes, noted that on assumption of office in 2020, his administration made deliberate efforts to reposition the Airport and make it ready for international operations by intentionally providing the facilities that were hitherto lacking.
He thanked President Tinubu for the approvals that made it possible, as well as Minister of Aviation and the National Hajj Commission for the approval that Imo State should be venue for the flag off of the 2025 Hajj operations.
He wished the Pilgrims a memorable stay in Saudi Arabia and urged them to be good ambassadors of their home country.
Earlier, the Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullah Usman had said that Governor Uzodimma’s readiness to host the flag off ceremony shows the level of religious tolerance and harmony in the State.
He disclosed that a total of 64,188 Muslim pilgrims will be air lifted for 2025 hajj exercise, while the first batch of 315 will be lifted from Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport.
Prof. Usman assured the intending pilgrims that adequate arrangements had been made to ensure their safety and welfare and urged them to follow the guidelines put in place for maximum security and protection.
Other goodwill messages came from the House of Representatives Committee on Pilgrimage, represented by Hon. Jafaru Ali, the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, represented by Senator Sani Bello Abubakar , and from the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, represented by its Chairman, the Sultan of Sokoto ,Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.
The Sultan had commended Governor Uzodimma for all his efforts to unite Nigerians wherever they have found themselves, insisting that the Governor’s effort to ensure that the flag off of the Hajj operations took place in Imo State was a big statement about the unity of Nigeria.
The Sultan said that there was need to restore the South East to the peaceful status she has always been known for.
He urged the Pilgrims to pray for the Governor, the President, Nigeria and Nigerians, and to ensure that they obey the laws of the country they are visiting for the Hajj, and present themselves as good ambassadors of Nigeria.
The highpoint of the ceremony was the inspection of the Air Peace and Allied Air airlines that were on ground to airlift the intending pilgrims.
The event was well attended by top government officials from both the federal and state governments, security chiefs, All Progressives Congress chieftains, business moguls, traditional rulers, among others.
