RADP / Pulse Nigeria > News > Local

FCT Minister receives 424 first batch of pilgrims

Gbenga Bada

September 19, 2016 5:00 AM

Muhammad Bello has received some of the pilgrims who performed the 2016 Hajj in Abuja.

FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello.

The first batch of 424 pilgrims from the Federal Capital Territory contingent to the 2016 Hajj in Saudi Arabia have returned to Abuja

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The pilgrims, comprising 201 male and 222 female, were received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello on Sunday.

Bello, represented by the Acting Secretary of Transportation Secretariat, Alhaji Abdul-Hamid Suleiman, urged the pilgrims to continue to imbibe the good virtues practiced during the Hajj exercise.

He enjoined them to continue to pray for the nation and its leadership because the country needs such prayers.

The minister commended the pilgrims for being good ambassadors of the Federal Capital Territory and by extension the country at large while at the Holy Land.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 2,975 Muslims from FCT participated in the 2016 Hajj.

Some pilgrims who spoke to NAN thanked Allah for giving them the opportunity to perform this year’s Hajj.