By Abdul-Kadir Abdullah
Pilgrims from Edo State participating in the 2026 Hajj exercise have commended the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board for the smooth coordination of activities in the holy land, especially the successful negotiation that reduced the cost of Hadaya for Edo pilgrims to 350 Saudi Riyals.
The pilgrims expressed satisfaction with the development, noting that some pilgrims from other states sharing the same accommodation with them confirmed paying as much as 500 Saudi Riyals for the same Hadaya service.
Some of the pilgrims, including Murtala Muhammad Kabir and Khadijat Isah-Shuayb, praised the leadership of the board for its commitment to the welfare of pilgrims and efforts aimed at reducing financial burden on them during the Hajj exercise.
The commendation came as the Amirul Hajj and leader of the Edo delegation, HRH Mallam Ali D Suleyman, reassured pilgrims of improved welfare and better outing during the forthcoming Hajj rites in Mina and Arafat.
Speaking in Makkah, the Amirul Hajj expressed gratitude to Allah for the safe movement of pilgrims from Madinah to Makkah, describing the operation so far as smooth and successful.
“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,” he said.
Mallam Ali D Suleyman noted that despite some challenges encountered during the pilgrimage, many of such issues were beyond the control of the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, as they were under the jurisdiction of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
He, however, commended the understanding, patience and cooperation displayed by the pilgrims throughout the exercise.
Chairman of the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mallam Musa Muhammad Uduimoh, appreciated the pilgrims for their support and assured them of the board’s continued commitment to providing quality welfare services.
“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 the major Hajj rites begin,” he said.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Eranga Abdulkabir Muhammadkabir, disclosed that the board negotiated directly with service providers to secure a reduction in the cost of Hadaya for Edo pilgrims.
According to him, while pilgrims from some states were paying between 400 and 500 Saudi Riyals, Edo pilgrims were able to secure the same service at 350 Saudi Riyals due to the intervention of the board.
“Recently we informed our pilgrims that as we are approaching the last days of Zulhijjah, the Hadaya will be cheaper for them. Some states are paying 400, 450 and even 500 Riyals depending on the service provider. But we succeeded in negotiating for 350 Riyals for Edo pilgrims and they are very happy about it,” he said.
He added that although every Hajj exercise comes with challenges, the board has continued to engage relevant authorities to ensure that issues affecting pilgrims are resolved amicably.
