Shettima to Muslim Pilgrims: Uphold National Values That Positively Reflect Nigeria

Vice President Kashim Shettima has charged Nigerian Muslim pilgrims undertaking the sacred Hajj journey to Saudi Arabia to be exemplary ambassadors, embodying the nation's values and projecting a positive image on the global stage. Speaking at the flag-off ceremony for the 2026 Hajj airlift at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Shettima underscored the significance of their role as representatives of Nigeria.

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You are ambassadors of Nigeria. You carry with you the image of our nation and the dignity of our people. Let your conduct reflect discipline, humility, patience, and integrity.

"You are ambassadors of Nigeria. You carry with you the image of our nation and the dignity of our people. Let your conduct reflect discipline, humility, patience, and integrity," he stated, emphasizing that their actions would reflect directly on the country. The Vice President reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring the safety, dignity, and seamless welfare of all 50,000 pilgrims participating in this year's Hajj, describing the pilgrimage as a "binding covenant between the Nigerian state and its citizens."

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Our duty is to ensure that every pilgrim undertakes this journey without avoidable hardship, needless anxiety, or preventable setback.

The inaugural flight saw approximately 500 pilgrims from Kogi State depart for the holy land. Shettima assured that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is dedicated to protecting Nigerians both at home and abroad, viewing governance as a covenant of service and accountability. He stressed that while Hajj is a personal act of worship, it also serves as a reflection of the strength and credibility of national institutions, with every pilgrim traveling under Nigeria's banner. The success of the operation, he noted, will be measured not just by logistical efficiency but by the pilgrims' experience and the absence of avoidable hardship.

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The success of this operation will not be measured by the number of aircraft that depart alone, but by the comfort of our pilgrims, the orderliness of our processes, and the absence of avoidable hardship. There is no room for negligence where faith, lives, and national reputation converge.