By Abdul-Kadir Abdullah
The Edo State Amirul Hajj, HRH Mallam Ali D. Suleyman, the Oghieaga of Ivbie, has disclosed that Governor Monday Okpebholo is deeply concerned about the welfare of Edo pilgrims participating in the ongoing 2026 Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia.
Oghieaga revealed that the governor personally contacted him on Tuesday after receiving reports about challenges affecting some pilgrims, particularly in the area of logistics under the management of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The Amirul Hajj made the disclosure during an engagement between officials of NAHCON and Edo pilgrims in Mina, where he assured the pilgrims that Governor Okpebholo was closely monitoring their situation and remained committed to their wellbeing throughout the pilgrimage exercise.
Speaking during the meeting, the royal father said the governor immediately reached out to him for clarification after hearing reports concerning the condition and welfare of some pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
He said, "When the governor heard some of the reports, he called me on Tuesday and I told him it was not as bad as reported. As soon as we leave here, I am going to submit a report because I owe that duty to the pilgrims and to the governor who is concerned about their welfare,”
The Amirul Hajj further assured the pilgrims that the governor, whom he described as genuinely committed to the comfort and wellbeing of Edo pilgrims both at home and abroad, was following developments closely.
He, however, expressed disappointment over what he described as a decline in this year’s Hajj operations compared to last year.
“This year’s performance is below average because last year you people did very well and we commended you, hoping that this year there would be improvement,” he noted.
The royal father added that while some efforts had been made to improve the situation, many of the challenges encountered were beyond the control of the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.
“They are not within what Edo State can handle. They are for NAHCON,” he stated.
However, the Amirul Hajj appreciated NAHCON for acknowledging the existing challenges but stressed the need for accountability among service providers.
He said, “But the fact that they have already acknowledged these challenges, it is not for us to blackmail them. Leave that to Allah. Anybody who does not do his or her duty after collecting money for it should remember that Allah will ask questions in the hereafter,”
The Amirul Hajj expressed optimism that the shortcomings recorded during this year’s pilgrimage would be addressed ahead of future Hajj exercises.
Responding to concerns raised by the pilgrims, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Ambassador Abba Yusuf, who was represented by the Commissioner for Policy, Personnel and Finance, Prince Aliu Abdulrazak, commended Edo State officials for their mature and constructive approach in addressing issues encountered during the Hajj operations.
Prince Abdulrazak said, “We want to sincerely thank the Chairman of Edo State Pilgrims Welfare Board for his relentless effort in ensuring that Edo State pilgrims are properly coordinated,”
“The Governor of Edo State again selected an Amirul Hajj who is very experienced in Hajj activities, and looking at those things put together, we are not expecting anything less. We can even go and sleep believing that Edo State pilgrims are in safe hands.”
He further commended the Amirul Hajj and the Edo delegation for maintaining constant communication with NAHCON despite operational challenges experienced in some areas of the pilgrimage.
Prince Abdulrazak disclosed that following some issues over accommodation in Madinah, the NAHCON chairman directed him to personally visit Edo pilgrims and assess the situation.
“We understand the problems that have occurred. We are not going to sleep or assume as if nothing has happened. We are not happy as well,” he stated.
He assured pilgrims that NAHCON would renegotiate with service providers over unsatisfactory services rendered during the Hajj exercise, stressing that any service paid for but not satisfactorily delivered would attract refunds after proper assessment and renegotiation with the affected service providers.
According to him, similar challenges were also experienced by pilgrims from states such as Sokoto, Zamfara and Plateau, adding that efforts were ongoing to improve welfare and provide basic amenities for pilgrims.
Also speaking, the South-East Commissioner of NAHCON, Hajia Aishat Obi, applauded Edo State officials and pilgrims for their responsible conduct and constructive criticism.
Other Edo pilgrims who spoke during the engagement, including Luqman Abdulqadir and Abubakar, also appreciated the efforts of the Edo State delegation while urging NAHCON to further improve pilgrims’ welfare and logistics.
