An intending Pilgrim from Edo State (name withheld) has passed last Week while awaiting 2019 Holy Pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

Chairman, Edo State Muslim Pilgrim Board, Sheik Ibrahim Oyarekhua, disclosed this yesterday at an interactive session with journalists in Benin.

He assured however that the incident will not affect the July 20, 2019 date for 130 other Muslims from the State from been airlifted to Hajj.

Sheik who spoke on preparation for this year’s Pilgrimage, said “tentatively, we have been given July 20 date for airlift of the State Pilgrims by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON.

“So, hopefully, our Pilgrims will be in in Medina between 20 and 23 at most. Airlift of pilgrims is done by NAHCON,” he said.

“The Hajj fare for the State intending pilgrims is one million, four hundred and Thirty Eight Thousand naira and the state had commenced refund to some of the  pilgrims who had earlier paid N1.5 million as directed by NAHCON.

According to him, the intending Pilgrims would be vaccinated few days to their departure in Benin and would also be sensitive on how to perform Hajj with hitches

He commended governor Godwin Obaseki for supporting the board in ensuring successful pilgrimage.