Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State on Saturday charged the intending pilgrims from the state to the holy lands of Saudi Arabia to be ambassadors of the state and shun any act capable of tarnishing the image of the state and the country, warning that government would not condone such misconduct.

Five hundred and fifty-five intending pilgrims, made up of 235 female and 320 male from Fakai, Danko/Wasagu, Bunza, Yauri and Arewa Local Government Areas constituted the first batch to be airlifted to Saudi Arabia.

A total of 4,900 registered pilgrims from the state are to be airlifted to Saudi Arabia for the 2017 Hajj exercise.

Bagudu, while delivering his farewell address to the first batch of the intending pilgrims at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, BirninKebbi, also warned them to be security conscious and to avoid fraudulent persons from accessing their traveling documents, money and valuables both within and outside the country.

He advised them to ensure that they always wear their dedicated tracker bands while in Saudi Arabia.

He called on the intending pilgrims to offer special prayers for the quick recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari and the sustained peace and unity of the country.

The Governor also directed security agencies to ensure adequate security for the intending pilgrims from their local government, the pilgrims camp, the airport up to their departure.

Musa Sakaba, Chairman of the State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, said adequate arrangements had been concluded for the airlifting of the intending pilgrims by Max Airline.

•Photo by Garba Ahmed shows the first batch of Kebbi intending pilgrims with Gov Atiku Bagudu during a farewell visit on Saturday at Sir Ahmadu Sardauna International Airport, Birnin Kebbi