The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN) has assured intending Hajj pilgrims that they would be airlifted from Ibadan Airport instead of Lagos in 2024.
The General Manager of FAAN Chief Adedeji Afolabi disclosed this during a courtesy call on Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Senator Lekan Balogun at his Alarere residence on Thursday.
He said the facilities at the Airport have been upgraded to the International standard.
Adedeji added that this was made possible with the support of Governor Seyi Makinde who has committed huge amounts to the project.
According to him, “The state governor had committed a huge amount of money towards giving the Airport a standard befitting of an international facility but for some hitches, the last pilgrims to Saudi Arabia from the state would have been airlifted from Ibadan Airport. All things being equal, the next exercise would take place there.
“The efforts of Engr. Seyi Makinde in this regard cannot go without mention. Aside the expansion of our needed facility in the Airport, we can all see the road leading to the place dualized with street lights, beautifying the whole place in addition to making it safe and secure for our prospective air passengers. We owe the governor a huge gratitude”.
Earlier, Oba Senator Balogun had expressed happiness to receive the good news that the Airport would become international and thanked Governor Makinde for the laudable steps taken to make the long dream a reality.
Olubadan equally praised all other Ibadan sons and daughters who had served either in the executive or legislative arms of government both at the state and national levels, who had made efforts towards the realization in the past, stressing that “it is gratifying to note that all the efforts had not gone in vain.
“As just pointed out by the Airport GM, our people’s governor had committed a huge amount of money towards making the Airport what we had all longed for international status. I cannot thank the governor enough for his visionary and focused efforts. May the Almighty Allah continue to guide and guard him.
“To our visitor, I thank you also for the visit and the good news concerning our Airport. It has been a long dream for the facility to assume international status and you cannot imagine how happy I am with this report. By saying I am happy, it means my people in Ibadanland are happy too. So, I implore you to ensure that whatever it is that will make your report a reality is done and the gods of our land will support you and make it part of your achievement,” Olubadan said.
In attendance to receive the FAAN management team alongside Olubadan were the Osi-Olubadan, Oba Eddy Oyewole, Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, Asiwaju Oloja General of Oyo State, Chief Julianah Raimi and former Chief Judge of the state, Mrs Badejoko Adeniji.
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