Gombe 2026 Hajj Officials Meet in Makkah to Strengthen Pilgrims’ Welfare
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
Officials overseeing the 2026 Hajj operation from Gombe State have held a strategic stakeholders’ meeting in Makkah aimed at improving pilgrims’ welfare and ensuring a smooth pilgrimage exercise for the state’s 961 intending pilgrims.
The one-day meeting brought together Hajj officials under the leadership of the Emir of Dukku, Haruna Abdulkadir Rasheed, alongside the Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Sa’adu Hassan.
Speaking during the meeting, the Emir of Dukku, who also serves as Chairman of the Board, described the gathering as timely and necessary.
He said the session was convened to review achievements recorded since the commencement of the Hajj operation, assess challenges encountered and develop lasting solutions to improve service delivery for pilgrims from the state.
He stressed the importance of coordination and effective management in ensuring a successful Hajj exercise, noting that the welfare of pilgrims remained a top priority for the board and the officials deployed for the operation.
In his remarks, Sa’adu Hassan urged officials to deploy their experience, professionalism and commitment toward improving the living conditions of pilgrims in line with the vision of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
He called on the officials to fear God, maintain cordial working relationships and embrace teamwork while discharging their responsibilities.
He also advised them to remain patient, treat pilgrims with respect and continue guiding them on the proper conduct of Hajj rituals.
The Executive Secretary further assured the officials that the board would immediately strengthen healthcare services, accommodation, feeding arrangements and access to first aid, particularly for female pilgrims and those facing health challenges.
He also cautioned officials against actions capable of creating disunity, urging them to avoid unnecessary criticism, rumors and negative conduct that could undermine the success of the exercise.
During the interactive session, the Director of Operations, Ibrahim Santuraki, reviewed the initial movement of pilgrims from Madinah to Makkah, while Islamic scholar Sheikh Albani Gombe highlighted key areas requiring urgent attention.
The meeting ended with recommendations from Islamic scholars for the introduction of structured preaching timetables to educate pilgrims on the dos and don’ts of Hajj rituals as part of efforts to ensure a well-organized and successful 2026 Hajj exercise.
