Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has formally bid farewell to 1,134 Muslim pilgrims from the state ahead of the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, urging them to uphold discipline and represent the state with dignity.
The farewell ceremony, held on Monday at the premises of the Plateau State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board along Liberty Boulevard Road in Jos, brought together government officials, religious leaders, and families of the intending pilgrims.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Mutfwang prayed for the safety and successful journey of the pilgrims, committing them to divine protection.
“We entrust you to the protection of God Almighty, that He will guide you safely to your destination and bring you back in peace, shielding you from every harm that may arise during your journey,” he said.
The governor charged the pilgrims to approach the spiritual exercise with devotion and return home renewed, stressing that their conduct in the Holy Land must reflect the values of Plateau State and Nigeria.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and cautioned against actions capable of undermining the state’s stability.
The Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Hon. Alhaji Daiyabu Dauda, disclosed that the contingent comprises 570 government-sponsored pilgrims and 564 self-sponsored participants.
Dauda commended the governor for sustained support to the board, citing key interventions including the provision of a permanent office after more than four decades, logistical support, and the approval of free ihram garments and hijabs for all pilgrims.
He also recalled the governor’s intervention during the 2025 Hajj, when additional meals were provided during a challenging period.
He expressed confidence in the leadership of the Amirul Hajj for the 2026 exercise, Idris Wase, noting that his experience would ensure a smooth pilgrimage.
In his remarks, Wase urged the pilgrims to remain law-abiding, prayerful, and cooperative throughout their stay in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing that their conduct would shape the image of both Plateau State and Nigeria.
The event marks a key step in the state’s preparations for the annual pilgrimage, underscoring the administration’s efforts to promote religious harmony and improve citizens’ welfare.
