‘2026 Hajj Remains My Best Pilgrimage In 45 Years’

Leader of Kaduna State 2026 Hajj Delegation to Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, has disclosed that this year’s pilgrimage is his best since he first performed hajj 45 years ago.

Alhaji Abubakar who said that he first came for hajj in 1981 and had subsequently led Kaduna Ste Delegation as Amirul Hajj in 1999, commended the Malam Salihu S Abubakar-led management of Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency for conducting a transparent and hitch-free exercise.

A press statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Malam Ibraheem Musa, said that the leader of the Hajj Delegation disclosed this on Wednesday night.

The statement added that Alhaji Abubakar led other members of the delegation to the Ibrahim Khalil residence of Kaduna State pilgrims in Makkah, to congratulate them for a successful Hajj exercise.

Alhaji Abubakar who is a former Head of Kaduna State Civil Service, said that the delegation has not received report of any unruly behaviour from the pilgrims.

He further exhorted them to remain disciplined and orderly, by following all the guidelines that have been laid down by Saudi authorities, in order to fast-track their return journey to Nigeria.

Alhaji Abubakar was accompanied by the District Head of Rigasa and Dangaladiman Zazzau, Arc Mohammed Aminu Idris, the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, Prof Bello Ayuba, Islamic clerics Sheikh Imam Tukur Adam Al Mannar and Sheikh Abdullahi Rabiu Ishaq.

Speaking earlier, the Executive Chairman of Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Malam Salihu S Abubakar, also noted that the pilgrims cooperated fully with his staff and management to achieve a seamless Hajj exercise.

He however implored them to extend the same cooperation as they prepare to return home after a successful pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, which officially ended last Saturday.

Malam Salihu disclosed that Saudi authorities have introduced strict guidelines regarding pilgrims’ luggage, adding that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria(NAHCON) has already ratified them.

According to him, every Nigerian pilgrim is entitled to two big bags, which must not exceed 23 kilograms each, and a hand luggage whose weight should not be more than 8 kilograms.

The Executive Chairman also warned that on no occasion should any pilgrim exceed those prescribed kilograms.

He said that weighing of the two big bags must end two days before the airlift, adding that officials of the company handling the cargo will come to pilgrims’ residences to collect them.

Malam Salihu also disclosed that hand luggage will be loaded into the vehicles that will convey pilgrims to the airport, five hours before leaving for Jeddah, maintaining that pilgrims will board the buses empty handed.

He maintained that these new measures have been introduced to ensure timely departure of pilgrims from King Abdulaziz International Airport to Nigeria, pleading that pilgrims should not see them as inconveniences.