Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has, on Monday, inaugurated the distribution of 2026 Hajj kits to intending pilgrims.

Items distributed included two sets of 23 kg bags, two sets of uniforms for men as well as two sets of hijab for women.

Inaugurating the distribution at the Kauran Gwandu Hajj Camp in Birnin Kebbi, the governor promised to sustain the support to intending pilgrims.

He appreciated the leadership of the Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Agency, under the chairmanship of Faruku Musa-Enabo, for transforming the agency.

“I can vividly recall that under your leadership we won several awards for our dear state; this is commendable. Please keep the flag flying,” he said.

The governor lauded the Kebbi pilgrims for being law-abiding in Saudi Arabia during the previous Hajj exercise.

Mr Idris used the occasion to plead with the intending pilgrims to pray for President Bola Tinubu and other leaders of the country for God’s guidance and wisdom to lead well.

In his speech, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, expressed appreciation to the Kebbi government as well as the welfare agency.

On his part, the agency’s chairman said Kebbi is leading in the highest number of intending pilgrims in the nation.

Mr Musa-Enabo said Kebbi remained one of the states that would be honoured after the 2026 Hajj exercise.

“We are here to witness the distribution of 2026 Hajj kits to intending pilgrims.

“Every intending pilgrim will receive two bags of 23 kg each, totalling 46 kg for every pilgrim.

“We have 12 flights that will take off from Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport and land straight in Madina,” he said.

The chairman noted with satisfaction that the agency had successfully secured houses for intending pilgrims close to Haram (Ka’aba), saying the houses were not up to 300 metres away from Haram.

“We must appreciate His Excellency for urging all political office holders to extend hands of fellowship to intending pilgrims.

“The official items for pilgrims include a travelling bag and uniform, but out of His Excellency’s magnanimity, he ordered that each pilgrim be given Ihram, shoes, soap and cream, in addition to footing the bill for Hadaya (sacrificial rams) for all pilgrims,” he said. 

(NAN)