Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has approved the appointment of the state’s deputy governor, Faruq Lawal-Jobe, as the head of the state delegation (Amirul-Hajj) to the forthcoming 2025 pilgrimage.

This is contained in a statement by the secretary to the state government, Abdullahi Faskari, in Katsina on Friday.

According to Mr Faskari, the governor announced this while constituting a 12-member state delegation for the 2025 pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

He said other leaders of the delegation included the speaker of the state House of Assembly, Nasiru Yahaya; commissioner for religious affairs, Ishaq Shehu-Dabai; Shafi’u Abdu-Duwan; Shehu Abdu-Daura; and Justice Aminu Tukur.

Others are Lawal Attahiru-Bakori, Aminu Usman (Abu Ammar), Naziru Kofar-Baru, Umar Abubakar and Aliyu Hussaini, while the governor’s office is to provide the secretary.

According to Mr Faskari, leaders of the delegation are to monitor and supervise all operational activities at home and in the Holy Land to ensure a successful Hajj.

“Other terms of reference include ensuring a hitch-free airlift and return journey of all the state pilgrims and performing any other functions as are necessary for the success of the exercise.

“The Hajj delegation is expected to submit a comprehensive report to the governor on completion of the Hajj exercise,” Mr Faskari said.

He explained that Mr Radda wished the delegation, the state Pilgrims Welfare Board, and the intending pilgrims Allah’s guidance throughout the Hajj operations.

The secretary to the state government disclosed that the governor would formally inaugurate the delegation to enable it to commence its activities.

(NAN)