From Ibrahim Goronyo, Sokoto
Sokoto State governor Ahmed Aliyu has urged intending pilgrims to dedicate themselves to acts of worship while in the holy land.
The governor made this plea while addressing the first batch of intending pilgrims, emphasizing that this would enable them to perform an accepted Hajj.
He also charged them to be good ambassadors of the state and country, stressing the need for them to avoid acts that could tarnish their image and that of the state. He assured that government would monitor their welfare.
Aliyu, represented by his Deputy Alhaji Idris Gobir, asked the pilgrims to pray for peace in the state and country.
Earlier, the Chairman of the State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Aliyu Musa, stated that the first flight comprised 428 intending pilgrims from various local government areas.