Kaduna pilgrims will enjoy quality services during Hajj — Uba Sani

Governor Uba Sani has directed that pilgrims from Kaduna State participating in this year’s Hajj exercise should receive proper care and quality services before, during and after their pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

The Director of Operations of the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Abubakar Usman Yusuf, said the agency was fully committed to implementing the governor’s directive.

In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ibraheem Musa, the director assured intending pilgrims that all necessary arrangements had been made to ensure a smooth and comfortable Hajj operation.

According to him, the state government has remodelled and upgraded the Mando Hajj Transit Camp with modern facilities to improve the welfare of pilgrims.

He explained that the upgraded camp now features hotel-standard accommodation with separate sections for male and female pilgrims, comfortable rooms and improved sanitary facilities.

Abubakar added that the camp also has a modern ICT centre, an ultra-modern hall and office spaces that would support the smooth coordination of pilgrims’ movement to the airport.

He further disclosed that the entire camp premises had been tarred, security strengthened and a commercial section created to enable intending pilgrims make purchases within the camp environment.

The director also noted that the facility, located in Mando, Igabi Local Government Area, enjoys constant electricity supply, which he said would further ease operations during this year’s pilgrimage exercise.

He commended Governor Uba Sani for donating a fleet of CNG buses to the agency, saying the vehicles would enhance transportation logistics and ensure hitch-free movement of pilgrims to the airport.

Abubakar also stated that adequate arrangements had been concluded in Saudi Arabia to ensure Kaduna pilgrims enjoy comfortable accommodation and welfare services throughout their stay in the Holy Land.

He praised the governor for the achievements recorded by the agency since the administration came into office in 2023, leading to improvements in Hajj operations.

According to him, the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency received recognition in 2023 for providing quality accommodation to pilgrims.

He further recalled that in 2024, Independent Hajj Reporters commended Kaduna State for successfully transporting all intending pilgrims to Makkah 10 days before the closure of the King AbdulAzeez International Airport.

The director also revealed that the agency earned praise for transparency in the Hadaya (animal sacrifice) process, which resulted in a 50-dollar refund to pilgrims.