Hajj: How Uba Sani Earned the Trust of Kaduna Pilgrims

Governor Uba Sani’s choice to walk six kilometres to meet Kaduna State pilgrims at Mina and offer prayers for the country’s security has reinforced his image as “The People’s Governor.”

Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, head of the Kaduna State Hajj delegation, said the governor’s dual actions show a statesman guided by empathy and patriotism.

A statement from the governor’s chief press secretary, Malam Ibraheem Musa, noted that the roads to Mina were closed on the night of 13 Dhul Hijjah. Governor Sani had to trek to the tents where the Kaduna pilgrims were staying.

The statement quoted Mustapha as saying the governor not only praised the pilgrims and their officials for a smooth Hajj, but also gave each pilgrim 300 Saudi Riyals to supplement their basic travelling allowances.

Mustapha added that the governor’s personal visit was more significant than the monetary gifts, noting that “he was the only governor who went to see his pilgrims in their tents and offered them words of encouragement.”

“The governor did not pray for himself. Instead, he asked the pilgrims to pray for an end to Nigeria’s security challenges and to resist the antics of conflict entrepreneurs who hide under the banner of politics to foment trouble,” Mustapha said. “As an individual, I am praying to Allah (SWT) to grant him his heart’s desires.”

The delegation head also praised the Special Hajj Committee led by Malam Salihu S. Abubakar for its prudence, probity and accountability.

He said the pilgrims’ accommodation is close to Al‑Masjid Haram, the Grand Mosque in Mecca, located along Ibrahim Khalil Street in the Misfala district. Mustapha noted that the meals served were delicious, with the only complaint being an inadequate sauce, which has since been addressed.

The delegation head highlighted that the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency was supported by capable officials who eased the burden of Hajj operations. “The Sheikh Haliru Maraya sub‑committee on preaching sensitized pilgrims on acceptable Hajj rituals. Listening to the learned sheikh reminded me of my Islamic Religious Knowledge class in Barewa College in 1964,” he clarified.

Mustapha, a former head of the Kaduna State Civil Service, recalled that he first performed Hajj in 1981 and was made Amirul Hajj in 1999. He said this year’s pilgrimage was the best.