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Bauchi Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed with members of the state Amirrul Hajj 2022 led by Emir of Katagum, Umar Faruq
By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
A total of 1363 intending Muslim pilgrims are to perform the 2022 Hajj from Bauchi State in fulfillment of one of the five pillars of Islam.
Already, 531 of them from 10 LGAs of the state were in the early hours of Wednesday airlifted to Saudi Arabia for the religious exercise from the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa international Airport (SATBIA), Bauchi making the first batch.
While addressing the intending pilgrims at the ultra modern Saad Abubakar Hajj Camp, State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir charged them to ensure that they prayed for the emergence of competent leaders in all the elective positions during the 2023 General Elections while in the holy land.
Bala Mohammed said that Nigeria need fervent prayers to overcome various forms of challenges especially insecurity in most parts of the country hence the need for the pilgrims to take advantage of their presence in the Holy land to seek divine intervention.
Bala Mohammed who expressed commitment to the welfare of the pilgrims before, during and after the exercise, advised them to always be guided by instructions of Hajj officials and authorities from Saudi Arabia.
He warned them not to use the opportunity to go to the Holy land to engage in politics which he said may take them away from the focus of the religious exercise that took them there in the first place.
The Governor also told the intending pilgrims to always follow instructions and guidance of the state Muslim welfare board officials who have been trained on how to assist them in whatever areas they need such assistance.
Also speaking, the National Commissioner Operations of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Abdullahi Magaji Hardawa said that NAHCON in collaboration with the State Government made provision for qualified medical officials, Hajj Guides and preachers towards a successful Hajj exercise.
He however warned the pilgrims on the dangers of travelling with illicit drugs and prohibited commodities noting that Saudi Arabia had attached stiffer penalty against defaulters.
Earlier, the State Amirul Hajj and Emir of Katagum, Umar Faruq assured that members of his team will live up to the responsibilities bestowed on them and called on other members of his team to justify the confidence reposed in them.
Umar Faruq further assured that no pilgrim from the state will engage in any act that will bring disrepute to the good name of the state and the country as a whole.
