The representative said that there was faster and easier processing with neat environment for the pilgrims unlike the previous year.
A representative of the Ogun State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Idris Aquib, on Sunday commended the airline operators for improvements in the airlifting of pilgrims to the holy land.
Aquib gave the commendation in Lagos as 540 intending pilgrims from the state, representing the first batch from the South-West Zone to be airlifted to Mecca, Saudi Arabia began their journey.
The pilgrims are to travel by Medview Airline aircraft with registration number 777-200ER and B767-300ER scheduled to leave the country on Sunday night.
The representative said that there was faster and easier processing with neat environment for the pilgrims unlike the previous year.
"I advise the intending pilgrims to comport themselves and be good ambassadors of the country to boost the impression of the international community about Nigerians."
One of the intending pilgrims, Adeyemi Akeem, told NAN that the process for this year was not bad except for rainfall.
He expressed the belief that the Pilgrims Board would continue to improve on the facilities for processing of intending pilgrims as many more depart for the pilgrimage in Mecca.
