By Abdullahi Yusuf 

1. Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, urges the state’s pilgrims to remain focused and spiritually committed throughout their stay in Mecca.
2. A remarkable moment: An Afghan pilgrim gave birth to a baby girl in Madinah, marking the first recorded birthof the 2025 Hajj season.
3. In a letter to the Saudi Hajj Minister, AHUON commends the seamless visa process, describing it as a major relief to operators and pilgrims alike.
4. First batch of Kogi State pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia, with screening procedures set to begin.
5. Oyo State’s first batch of pilgrims departed Ibadan for Lagos, led by Board Chairman, Sheikh Wahab Atere Hashim Olamide.
6. Kebbi pilgrims are being transported from Hajj Camp to the airport, continuing Nigeria’s airlift operations.
7. Hajj Security Forces arrested a resident who attempted to smuggle 22 individuals into Makkah without Hajj permits — a stern reminder of Saudi Arabia’s strict enforcement of pilgrimage regulations.
8. Extreme heat alert issued: Hajj 2025 could see real-feel temperatures exceed 50°C, making it one of the hottest on record.
9. Indonesia leads with impressive visa rollout: 202,654 regular visas issued; only 666 pilgrims await final clearance. So far, 158 flight groups have departed using 3 airlines, with operations running via the E-Hajj system.