The Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, arrived in Garoua on Thursday, May 22, to supervise the departure of the first group of Muslim pilgrims travelling to Mecca for Hajj 2025. The pilgrims took off from the Garoua International Airport via an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft at exactly 1:03 PM. Minister Atanga Nji was welcomed at the airport by the Governor of the North Region, Jean Abate Edi’i; the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; administrative authorities; and several Muslim dignitaries. The visit comes as part of the government’s efforts to ensure a smooth and safe departure of over 4,500 pilgrims selected for this year’s pilgrimage. Speaking at the airport, Minister Atanga Nji praised the Head of State, President Paul Biya, for his decisive intervention in the rapid rehabilitation of the Garoua International Airport. The airport, which had been closed due to the poor condition of its runway, was restored in less than nine days. This allowed the return of large-capacity aircraft such as the Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 from Garoua to be possible once again. Pilgrims expressed gratitude to President Biya for making their spiritual journey a reality. Many said that without the president’s support, the 2025 Hajj would have been impossible. The minister also mentioned the government’s financial support to the pilgrims, amounting to some 1.5 billion CFA francs. Beyond the religious aspect, the renovated infrastructure is expected to boost economic activities, improve mobility, and benefit business operators and local communities.