By Sani Yarima
Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has warned the intending Muslim pilgrims for this year’s Hajj exercise from the state, not to carry any contraband item to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The governor gave the warning during his farewell address at the Model Primary School temporary Hajj camp in Jalingo.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Islamic Religious Matters, Malam Hussaini Isma’il, governor Kefas also called on the intending pilgrims to abide by the rules and regulations of Saudi Arabia to enable them to perform their religious duty as prescribed by Allah successfully.
Governor Kefas explained that as a Chief Host to the intending pilgrims, he made arrangements to ensure that they stayed comfortably in the camp, including medical facilities to look after their health right from home, and to the holy land.
He said the state government has appointed a powerful delegation and people with impeccable characters as the 2024 Amirul Hajj Team under the leadership of Lamdo Gashaka, HRH Dr. Zubairu Hammangabdo to ensure the welfare of the intending pilgrims in conjunction with the officials of the pilgrim’s Board.
Governor Agbu Kefas, further revealed that the government has appointed Twenty-One (21) Officials including the Medical Team with enough funds to purchase drugs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to look after its pilgrims’s health.
According to him, the Taraba State Government has placed great importance on religion which led to the sponsoring of one hundred and seventeen (117) individuals to perform this year’s Hajj despite its lean financial resources, and implored all the intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state, and the nation at large while in Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, governor Kefas urged them to pray for the nation and its leaders for peace and tranquility to reign, as well as to encourage peaceful coexistence between the two major religions as “We are all created by one God and we are sure of going to him at the end.”
Furthermore, the Special Adviser to the Governor, Malam Husseini Isma’il appealed to the intending pilgrims to specially pray fervently for Governor Agbu Kefas, Taraba State, and Nigeria while in Saudi Arabia, a request that was assured by them.
Earlier in an address of welcome, the Chairman of the Taraba State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Malam Umar Gambo appreciated Governor Agbu Kefas for his effort and urged him to open his door no matter how little for them to have access to him without intermediary.
He mentioned the lack of an official operational vehicle as one of their major challenges and assured Governor Kefas that with the caliber of people in the Amirul Hajj Team, they will not disappoint him, as well as urged the intending pilgrims to abide by the rules and remain patient at all times.
In a remark, the 2024 Amirul Hajj from the state who is also the Lamdo Gashaka, HRH Dr. Zubairu Hammangabdo described his appointment as not only an honor to him, the traditional institutions, but a booster that will enable him to continue putting in his best for the progress and development of the state.
He said that members of the government delegation entrusted with the entire Welfare of Pilgrims, have collectively resolved to leave no stone unturned in ensuring hitch-free Hajj Operation.
Interestingly, HRH Dr. Zubairu Hammangabdo further told the governor that all intending pilgrims were properly enlightened on what they are expected of, both in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
He revealed that they have been equally provided with all necessary traveling documents and uniforms for easy identification to reduce the cases of loss of Pilgrims in the Holy Land.
However, the Amirul Hajj thanked Governor Agbu Kefas for the confidence reposed in them and the provision of all the necessary logistics to the Board for its operation, as well as assured him that they would not fail in their assignment.
On his part, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Ahmed Chiroma appreciated Governor Agbu Kefas for his support and commitment and called on the intending pilgrims to desist from any act that could tarnish the image of the state and the nation as a whole while in Saudi Arabia.
