From Abdullahi Shugaba, in Katsina
The Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has directed the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board to strengthen accountability, transparency and effective supervision in future Hajj operations, particularly in the selection and deployment of officials responsible for pilgrims’ welfare.
Governor Radda gave the directive on Tuesday when he received the report of the 2026 Katsina State Hajj Delegation, presented by its Chairman and Amirul Hajj, Barr. Ahmed Usman El-Marzuq, at the Government House, Katsina.
The Governor stressed that every official deployed for Hajj must have clearly defined responsibilities and be fully accountable for the assignment given to him or her.
“If you have officials of the Hajj pilgrims going to Saudi Arabia, we are not paying money for free for anybody. We are paying money for those people to do their job. They are not there to go and sleep; they are there to work and support the pilgrims,” he said.
Governor Radda said the reduction in the number of pilgrims required a corresponding reduction in the number of officials travelling for the exercise, stressing that the decision should not be viewed as the personal removal of anyone from the delegation.
He disclosed that he had approved 20 management officials of the Pilgrims Welfare Board to participate in the Hajj, directing that their selection be transparent and based on competence, commitment and ability to perform assigned responsibilities.
The Governor also disclosed that out of the 15 members of the Pilgrims Welfare Board, 10 would participate in the pilgrimage, while the number of preachers would be reduced from 17 to 10.
He explained that the measures were aimed at reducing the size of the delegation in line with the number of pilgrims and available resources, rather than being based on personal considerations.
Governor Radda directed that every member of the management team and Board officials travelling for Hajj must be assigned specific responsibilities before leaving Nigeria.
He further directed officials responsible for each area to establish direct contact with service providers, identify those responsible for delivering the services and monitor their performance throughout the exercise.
He said the arrangement would ensure that all officials remain productive and eliminate situations where some work while others remain inactive.
The Governor also directed the Pilgrims Welfare Board to improve the production and use of identification cards for pilgrims, saying the cards should be prepared immediately after the closure of the registration portal, properly numbered and issued before departure.
According to him, the cards could also contain the pilgrims’ local government areas to make identification and management easier during the pilgrimage.
Responding to recommendations contained in the 2026 Hajj report, Governor Radda called for greater attention to pilgrims’ accommodation and welfare, particularly the issue of high-altitude accommodation.
He noted that many pilgrims are elderly or have health and physical limitations, stressing the need to ensure that accommodation arrangements do not expose them to unnecessary difficulties.
Governor Radda also supported greater involvement of Hajj officials in monitoring feeding arrangements, stressing that officials deployed to Saudi Arabia must actively supervise services provided to pilgrims.
He assured that the state government would continue to provide the necessary support to address challenges that may arise during the pilgrimage.
Governor Radda announced the appointment of Architect Ahmed Musa Dangiwa as the Amirul Hajj for the 2027 pilgrimage, citing his experience and competence.
He commended Alhaji Ahmed Usman El-Marzuq and members of the 2026 Hajj delegation for their commitment and dedication to the assignment.
The Governor also congratulated El-Marzuq on his recognition as the Best Amirul Hajj of the Year, describing the award as a commendable achievement for Katsina State.
Earlier, presenting the 2026 Hajj report, the Chairman and Amirul Hajj, Barr. Ahmed Usman El-Marzuq, said the delegation successfully conducted the pilgrimage for 2,035 Katsina pilgrims, all of whom returned safely to Nigeria.
He said the exercise was conducted in collaboration with the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board, NAHCON, relevant government institutions, Saudi authorities and other stakeholders.
According to him, the delegation maintained close coordination in transportation, accommodation, feeding, medical services, security, religious guidance, media and general pilgrims’ welfare.
El-Marzuq particularly appreciated Governor Radda for his interventions for Katsina pilgrims, including the payment of hadaya for all pilgrims and the provision of 300 Saudi Riyals to each pilgrim as a welfare gift.
On the return airlift, the Amirul Hajj said Katsina’s initial return date was scheduled for June 11 but was later shifted to June 20 due to flight allocation and operational adjustments.
He explained that sustained engagement with the designated airline and relevant authorities enabled the first flight to depart on June 17, with all Katsina pilgrims returning to Nigeria by June 19, 2026, one day ahead of the revised schedule.
El-Marzuq described the overall exercise as successful and peaceful, noting that there was no riot or protest among Katsina pilgrims throughout their stay in the Holy Land.
The Amirul Hajj recommended stronger collaboration between the state government and NAHCON on clearly defined entry and exit arrangements for pilgrims from individual states.
He also called for the avoidance of accommodation located at high altitudes, early involvement of Hajj officials in menu planning and improved identification of pilgrims through properly issued identity cards.
El-Marzuq urged the state government to sustain its welfare interventions for pilgrims and ensure that competent and committed individuals are appointed to Hajj delegations.
He further called for systematic documentation of Hajj operations, challenges, interventions and lessons learned to provide institutional references for future pilgrimage exercises.
The Amirul Hajj disclosed that the media representative of the delegation had produced a 235-page book titled Witness to Hajj, documenting the experiences, engagements, challenges and lessons from the 2026 pilgrimage.
He appealed to Governor Radda to consider supporting the publication, including acquiring its copyright and publishing the book for distribution to pilgrims, students, institutions and the wider public.
El-Marzuq also presented the Best Amirul Hajj of the Year Award, conferred on him by the Independent Hajj Reporters, to Governor Radda.
He dedicated the award to the Katsina State Government and the people of the state, saying the recognition reflected the collective efforts of the government, the delegation and other stakeholders.
The event was attended by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir; Chairman and members of the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board; members of the Board’s management; members of the 2026 Hajj delegation; government officials; religious leaders; and other stakeholders..
