The Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has charged intending pilgrims from the state to use their spiritual journey to the Holy Land to pray for the state and the country to overcome the enormous socio-economic challenges facing its citizens.
The governor gave the charge during a farewell address to the intending pilgrims at the Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board office.
Speaking on the current socio-economic realities in the country, Governor Yahaya urged the pilgrims to intensify prayers for Allah’s intervention.
“Intensify prayers for yourselves, Gombe State, and Nigeria for Allah’s intervention in the current situation. Specifically, pray for a bumper harvest to overcome the high prices of foodstuffs in the markets. Our country is faced with multifaceted challenges; only through merciful intervention from Almighty Allah can we get through them,” Governor Yahaya said.
He also admonished the intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of their state and country while in Saudi Arabia.
“While in the Holy Land, please be good ambassadors of your communities, your local government areas, Gombe State, and Nigeria, so we can all be proud of you,” he appealed.
Governor Yahaya called on the pilgrims to avoid anything that may nullify their spiritual exercise, damage their personal or state’s reputation, while reminding them of Saudi Arabian laws that could take its course on anyone found guilty of any mischievous or unwholesome act.
While wishing the pilgrims a hitch-free Hajj, the governor reassured them of his administration’s commitment to ensuring the best Hajj from Nigeria to the Holy Land, promising that no one would be left behind, because all pilgrims would be airlifted on time.
The governor also charged Hajj officials at all levels to discharge their duties with sincerity, diligence, and patriotism to ensure a seamless pilgrimage.
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The Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Sa’adu Hassan, acknowledged the governor’s support for all intending pilgrims of Gombe State, including taking responsibility for animal sacrifices (Hadaya), giving free food on Arafat Day.
He said the governor had equally approved 200 Riyals for each pilgrim as Sallah gift, among other efforts to support the pilgrims.
The Hajj Executive Secretary further appreciated the governor for providing necessary facilities at the Gombe airport worth more than N100 million to facilitate smooth airlift of pilgrims.
The Emir of Dukku, His Royal Highness, Haruna Abdulkadir Rasheed, who is the Head of the Government delegation to the holy land, applauded Governor Yahaya for his support of hajj operations and offering special interventions that make the operation easier for Gombe pilgrims.
The event featured brief preachings from Shaikh Adamu Muhammad Umar and Shaikh Ibrahim Shaikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, who stressed the importance of conducting acceptable pilgrimage explaining that whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity or any evil will go back free of sin as on the day his mother bore him.
Gombe State has a total of 1,370 intending pilgrims for this year’s Hajj and the airlifting starts Saturday 1st June, 2024.
