Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has urged the state’s intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors and pray fervently for Gombe and Nigeria as they embark on their spiritual journey to the Holy Land.
Addressing the state’s pilgrims at the Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board office, Governor Yahaya highlighted the socio-economic challenges facing the nation. He called on the pilgrims to seek divine intervention, especially for a bountiful harvest to combat rising food prices.
“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,” he urged.
The governor also emphasized the importance of representing their communities and country with dignity in Saudi Arabia. He warned against any actions that could tarnish their personal or the state’s reputation, reminding them of the strict legal consequences in the Holy Land.
Governor Yahaya assured the pilgrims of his administration’s dedication to providing a smooth Hajj experience. He guaranteed timely airlift and comprehensive support throughout the pilgrimage.
The Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Sa’adu Hassan, praised the governor’s commitment, noting his support in facilitating animal sacrifices, providing free food on Arafat Day, and approving 200 Riyals for each pilgrim as a Sallah gift. He also acknowledged the N100 million investment in Gombe airport facilities to ensure a smooth airlift.
His Royal Highness, the Emir of Dukku, Haruna Abdulkadir Rasheed, lauded the governor for his consistent support and special interventions to ease the Hajj operations.
The farewell event also featured sermons by Shaikh Adamu Muhammad Umar and Shaikh Ibrahim Shaikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, who emphasized the importance of conducting an acceptable pilgrimage. They highlighted that a sin-free Hajj returns a person as pure as the day they were born.
Gombe State has 1,370 intending pilgrims this year, with airlifting set to commence on Saturday, June 1, 2024.
