Governor Uba Sani has assured intending pilgrims from Kaduna State of adequate support to enable them perform the 2026 Hajj exercise with ease and comfort in Saudi Arabia.
The Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Salihu S. Abubakar, said the governor had consistently supported the agency and approved all requests aimed at ensuring a smooth pilgrimage operation.
Speaking during the flag-off of the Hajj exercise at the Mando Hajj Camp in Kaduna on Wednesday, Mr Abubakar disclosed that the state secured one of the best accommodations in Makkah for its pilgrims, located close to Masjid Al-Haram, also known as the Grand Mosque.
He added that intending pilgrims would be transported from the Hajj camp to the Kaduna International Airport at about 2 a.m. using the Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, buses donated to the agency by Governor Uba Sani.
The chairman also commended the governor for supporting infrastructural development at the Mando Hajj Camp, noting that the upgrade of facilities and construction of modern structures had transformed the camp.
Mr Sani, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, congratulated the intending pilgrims and thanked Allah for granting them the opportunity to fulfil one of the five pillars of Islam.
She prayed for their safe journey to Saudi Arabia and successful return, while urging them to remember Kaduna State and Nigeria in their prayers.
“Pray for sustainable peace, unity and development in Kaduna State and Nigeria as a whole,” she said.
Mrs Balarabe stated that the Kaduna State Government had put adequate measures in place to ensure the welfare of pilgrims from their stay at the Mando Hajj Transit Camp to their time in the Holy Land and eventual return home.
According to her, the administration of Governor Uba Sani has remodelled and upgraded the Hajj camp with modern facilities to ensure seamless Hajj operations.
She listed some of the new facilities to include a state-of-the-art ICT centre, an ultra-modern hall and upgraded office structures within the camp.
Also speaking at the event, the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, advised the intending pilgrims to obey the laws of Saudi Arabia and avoid carrying prohibited items into the Holy Land.
The emir warned against taking items such as kola nuts and other condiments to Saudi Arabia, describing them as unnecessary and potentially problematic.
He also cautioned pilgrims against accepting luggage from anyone for safekeeping either at the Kaduna airport or in Saudi Arabia.
According to him, experience has shown that some of such luggage may contain illicit drugs, stressing that drug trafficking attracts the death penalty in Saudi Arabia.
