‘2026 Hajj Remains My Best in 45 Years’ – Kaduna Delegation Leader Praises Smooth Pilgrimage

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, leader of Kaduna State’s 2026 Hajj delegation to Saudi Arabia, has called this year’s pilgrimage his best since he first performed Hajj 45 years ago.

Alhaji Abubakar, who first performed Hajj in 1981 and served as Amirul Hajj for Kaduna State in 1999, praised the management of Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, led by Malam Salihu S. Abubakar, for conducting a transparent and smooth operation.

A press statement from Malam Ibraheem Musa, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, said the delegation leader shared this in an address to Kaduna pilgrims in Makkah on Wednesday night.

The statement added that Alhaji Abubakar led other delegation members to the Ibrahim Khalil residence of Kaduna pilgrims to congratulate them on a successful Hajj. He said the visit was to show appreciation and encourage them as they prepare to return home.

Alhaji Abubakar, a former Head of the Kaduna State Civil Service, noted that since they arrived in the Holy Land, the pilgrims have behaved well and urged them to maintain their discipline.

He also urged the pilgrims to strictly follow all guidelines issued by the Saudi authorities. He mentioned that obeying these rules will speed up their return journey to Nigeria and make the airlift smoother.

Accompanying the delegation were the District Head of Rigasa and Dangaladiman Zazzau, Arc. Mohammed Aminu Idris, the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, Prof. Bello Ayuba, and Islamic clerics Sheik Imam Tukur Adam Al Mannar and Sheik Abdullahi Rabiu Ishaq.

Earlier, Malam Salihu S. Abubakar, the Executive Chairman of Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, also stated that the pilgrims cooperated fully with his staff, helping ensure a smooth Hajj. He said this cooperation facilitated coordination with Saudi authorities.

Malam Salihu urged the pilgrims to maintain that level of cooperation as they prepare to return after their successful pilgrimage, which concluded last Saturday. He emphasized that the final phase of Hajj demands even greater discipline.

He also explained that Saudi authorities have put in place strict luggage rules, which the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has ratified. These measures aim to improve efficiency at King Abdulaziz International Airport.

Each Nigerian pilgrim is allowed two large bags, not exceeding 23 kilograms each, along with a piece of hand luggage weighing no more than 8 kilograms. Pilgrims are warned not to exceed these weight limits under any circumstances.

Malam Salihu said the large bags must be weighed two days before departure, and cargo officials will visit pilgrims’ homes to collect them. Hand luggage will be loaded into buses five hours before departure to Jeddah, with pilgrims entering the vehicles without their luggage.

He stressed that these new luggage procedures are important for ensuring pilgrims leave Jeddah on time for Nigeria. He asked pilgrims not to see these measures as inconveniences but as essential for a smooth return.

With praise from both the delegation leader and agency management, Kaduna State’s 2026 Hajj operation has been recognized as a model of order, transparency, and pilgrim cooperation in recent years.