Hajj 2023: How Gov. Kefas Last Minutes Intervention Saved Taraba’s Pilgrims

 For last minute intervention of the newly inaugurated Governor Agbu Kefas fates of many Muslims faithful hoping to perform the year Hajj would have been ditched.

For the first time in 24 years of the creation of Taraba state, the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board could not open a Camp for its intending pilgrims following the refusal of the former Governor, Darius Ishaku to approve its proposal for the 2023 Hajj operation.

The Public Relations Officer of the Board Alhaji Hamza Baban Muri, the National Hajj Commission NAHCON had allocated 1,750 seats for the state out of which the Board reserved 100 seats for the state government but they could not buy them all due to lack of funds as the immediate past Governor, Darius Ishaku did not approve the proposal sent by the Board.

"We reserved 100 seats for the state government but because of the transition of power and the new administration has no money we reduced it to 50 and out of the fifty seats, the new government has so far paid for the officials of the Board, Ulamas, and the State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Aminu Alkali who will be the Amirul Hajj and two (2) other members of his team.

Some of the intending pilgrims who spoke to our reporter expressed optimism that the new administration of Dr. Agbu Kefas will serve its citizens better without any discrimination and promised to pray for peace and unity amongst the people of the state and the country as a whole while in Saudi Arabia.

Governor Agbu Kefas however tasked the intending pilgrims for this year's Hajj from the state to pray for peace, Unity, and Progress of the state, as well as the success of the current administration while in Saudi Arabia.

Represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Aminu Alkali, Dr. Agbu while congratulating the intending pilgrims for being among the chosen ones to perform the 2023 Hajj, also called on them to be good Ambassadors of the State and Nigeria as a whole.

He further enjoined the officials of the Board to take their duty seriously, by identifying the best goals and methods to achieve the set goals and ensure that the pilgrims enjoy the value of their money as well as obtain an acceptable Hajj.

The Governor warned the officials of the Board to be diligent, committed, vigilant, and patient, as well as act in the right manner at all times to enable them to achieve the desired objective.

The Governor commended the National Hajj Commission for fulfilling its promises to ensure successful Hajj operation despite of the challenges posed by the Sudan military crisis.

However, Governor Agbu Kefas pledged to continue supporting and assisting the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board at all times.

"On behalf of the Government and good people of Taraba State, I wish you a safe flight and a successful 2023 Pilgrimage," Dr. Agbu concluded.

Earlier, the Deputy Governor, Aminu Alkali who is also the 2023 State Amirul Hajj thanked Governor Agbu Kefas for appointing him to lead the team for this year's Hajj from the State.

Alkali who spoke through Deputy Amirul Hajj and Sarkin Gassol, Alhaji Idris Chiroma also described the appointment as a booster that would enable continue putting in his best for the progress and development of the State.

While informing the Governor that the Board had provided all the necessary traveling documents for the intending pilgrims, the Amirul Hajj also promised him not to fail in their assignment.

"We would like to thank His Excellency for providing all the necessary logistics to the Board for its operation," Alkali appreciated.

On his part, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Umar Chiroma reminded the intending pilgrims of the obligatory duty upon every Muslim that will perform Hajj which is the five (5) pillars of Islam to be mentally, financially, and physically fit.

He appreciated Governor Agbu Kefas for assisting and supporting the Board as well as assured him of their total commitment to a huge free Hajj operation.

Some of the intending pilgrims in an interview Zubairu Usman, Manu Ardo, and Binta Yakubu commended Governor Agbu for assisting the Board and promised to offer special prayers for his administration while in the Holy Land.