All things being equal, Ibadan Airport will begin airlifting of Muslims going on pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia (Mecca) for Hajj at the facility next year.

Following this cheering news, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen Lekan Balogun, CFR, Alli Okunmade II has commended the governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, FNSE for his efforts on the Airport to make a direct airlifting of Hajj pilgrims from Ibadan to Saudi Arabia a reality.

The General Manager of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), who coordinates the Alakia, Ibadan Airport, Chief Adedeji Afolabi, who led his airport management team on a courtesy visit to the monarch at his Alarere residence, delivered the good news, praising Engr. Makinde for making the facility functional and appropriate for international flights.

In a press statement made available to journalists in Ibadan by the Olubadan through his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola, Oba Balogun 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.

The traditional ruler 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 huge amount of money towards making the Airport what we had all longed for- international status. I cannot thank the governor enough for this visionary and focussed 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 further.

Earlier in his remark, the GM said the visit was to officially and formally pay homage to the Olubadan for the first time since his ascension to the throne last year. “We are here to pay homage to our Royal Father as the owner of the land and to solicit for his blessings. We are happy at the turn around we are witnessing in our place and by the grace of God, the dream of Ibadan people concerning the Airport would soon become a reality”.

The multiple Chieftaincy titles’ holder remarked that the state governor had committed huge amount of money towards giving the Airport a standard befitting of an international facility, adding, “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 light, beautifying the whole place in addition to making it safe and secure for our prospective air passengers. We owe the governor a huge gratitude”, the GM added.

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.