Governor Uba Sani has urged intending pilgrims from Kaduna State to pray for peace, unity and development in Nigeria as the state officially flagged off the 2026 Hajj exercise.
The governor, represented by Deputy Governor Hadiza Balarabe, spoke on Wednesday during the flag-off ceremony held at the Mando Hajj Camp in Kaduna.
She congratulated the intending pilgrims for witnessing another opportunity to perform Hajj and prayed for a successful pilgrimage and safe return.
Balarabe said the Kaduna State Government had taken necessary measures to ensure the comfort and welfare of pilgrims from their stay at the transit camp to their time in Saudi Arabia and eventual return home.
According to her, the administration had remodelled and upgraded facilities at the Mando Hajj Camp to ensure a smooth Hajj operation.
She listed some of the newly upgraded facilities to include a modern ICT centre, an ultra-modern hall and new office structures within the camp.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Salihu Abubakar, commended Governor Sani for supporting the agency and improving facilities at the camp.
He stated that the governor approved several requests from the agency and ensured that Kaduna pilgrims secured quality accommodation close to Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah.
Abubakar also disclosed that intending pilgrims would be transported from the Hajj camp to the Kaduna International Airport using compressed natural gas buses donated by the state government.
Meanwhile, the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, advised the pilgrims to obey Saudi Arabian laws and avoid carrying prohibited items during the pilgrimage.
The monarch warned against accepting luggage from other people for safekeeping, noting that such bags could contain illegal substances.
He cautioned that drug trafficking attracts severe punishment, including the death penalty, in Saudi Arabia.
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