Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani on Thursday donated 300 Saudi Riyals to each pilgrim from the state during a visit to their tents at Muna, Saudi Arabia.

A press statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Malam Ibraheem Musa, stated that each pilgrim would receive N114, 000 going by the extant exchange rate.

The statement said that governor commended the pilgrims and the management of Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, for the success of this year’s Hajj exercise.

Mr Sani also praised the Kaduna State Hajj Delegation Committee, led by Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, for ensuring a seamless exercise.

The governor disclosed that his administration did everything humanly possible to ensure the success of this year’s pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

He however apologized for whatever minor lapse that may have occurred during the Hajj exercise, adding that it was not deliberate.

He stated that “as human beings, we can only plan but only Allah(SWT) determines the final outcome.”

Citing a personal experience, he said that “the distance from where his tent was situated and where the pilgrims are staying, was estimated to be between 2 to 3 kilometers. Averagely, I would have arrived here in no time.

“However, all roads leading to this area have been blocked and I had to trek for four to five hours before reaching here,” explaining that that was why he arrived late. The governor pleaded with the pilgrims to pray for peace in the country, arguing that “development will not take place where there is no peace.”

He prayed to Allah(SWT) to reform those who instigate trouble if they are redeemable and to cast them far away if they continue in their nefarious ways.

According to him, politics or the clamor for public office or appointment is not worth the life of any citizen of Kaduna State.

In his welcome address, the Executive Chairman of Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Malam Salihu S Abubakar, reiterated that Mr Sani had always acceded to the agency’s requests to enhance Hajj exercise and improve pilgrims’ welfare.

Mr Abubakar also thanked the governor for his support in easing the burden of Hajj exercise.

In his vote of thanks, the auditor general of Kaduna State, Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi, disclosed that no governor of Kaduna State had ever visited pilgrims in their tents from 1999 to date, apart from Mr Sani. 

He called on the pilgrims to support and pray for the governor as well as for the continued peace and development of Kaduna State.