By Abdul-Kadir Abdullah
The Amirul Hajj and leader of the Edo State delegation to the 2026 Hajj, HRH Mallam Ali D Suleyman, has welcomed Edo pilgrims to Makkah, reassuring them of a more rewarding and improved experience as they prepare for the major Hajj rites.
Speaking in Makkah shortly after the successful completion of the Umrah exercise, the Amirul Hajj expressed gratitude to Allah for the safe movement of the pilgrims from Madinah to Makkah and commended the level of cooperation among the pilgrims and officials of the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.
According to him, the delegation enjoyed a smooth operation throughout their stay in Madinah before arriving safely in Makkah on Friday after Jummah prayers.
He said, "We are indeed grateful to Allah who has made it possible for us to arrive safely. We had a very smooth operation as far as the rituals of this journey are concerned. We had a good time in Madinah and now we are in Makkah. We have just concluded our Umrah and every pilgrim was accounted for,”
Mallam Ali D Suleyman noted that although some of the challenges encountered during the pilgrimage were beyond the control of the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, significant progress had been achieved through cooperation and understanding among the pilgrims.
“Most of the challenges we have here are beyond the purview and competence of the Edo pilgrims welfare board. They fall within the control of NAHCON both in Madinah and Makkah. But as far as we are concerned, so much has been done and achieved. We are grateful to the pilgrims for their cooperation,” he stated.
The Oghieaga of Ivbie further disclosed that the Edo State Government, led by Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo, has been closely monitoring activities of the delegation in the holy land through regular updates from the leadership of the board.
He expressed optimism that the forthcoming Hajj rites in Mina and Arafat would witness better coordination and improved services compared to previous years.
He added, "Now that we are preparing to move on to Mina after our Umrah here, we are hoping that we will have a better Hajj, much more improved than we had last year. Feeding so far has been good and much has been achieved,”
He also praised the unity and cooperation among members of the board and the pilgrims, describing them as tolerant, accommodating and supportive throughout the journey.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mallam Musa Muhammad Uduimoh, appreciated the pilgrims for their support and cooperation since the commencement of the pilgrimage.
He said, “We thank Allah that we left Madinah and arrived safely in Makkah. We thank the pilgrims for their support and cooperation. As a board and as a state, we promised to give them the best hospitality and Insha Allah we will continue to do our best as we begin the special rites of Hajj,”
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Eranga Abdulkabir Muhammadkabir, said all Edo pilgrims successfully performed the Umrah exercise and disclosed efforts by the board to reduce costs for pilgrims, especially in the area of Hadaya.
According to him, the board successfully negotiated a reduction in the cost of Hadaya to 350 Saudi Riyals, compared to the higher rates paid by pilgrims from some other states.
“In every Hajj exercise, there are challenges, but the little challenges we have now are beyond the board officials. They are coming from the National Hajj Commission and we have been working to resolve them amicably,” he explained.
Some of the pilgrims, including Murtala Muhammad Kabir and Khadijat Isah-Shuayb, also expressed satisfaction with the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage so far, praising the efforts of the Edo State delegation and the level of care provided to pilgrims in the holy land.
