Edo Amirul Hajj Commends Gov Okpebholo’s Support for Muslims During Arafat Prayers

The Edo State Amirul Hajj, HRH Mallam Ali D Suleyman, the Oghieaga of Ivbie, has commended the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for what he described as the governor’s tremendous goodwill and support towards Muslims in the state.

The Amirul Hajj gave the commendation during a special prayer session held by Edo pilgrims at the Arafat tent in Saudi Arabia as part of activities marking the peak of the 2026 Hajj rites.

Leading Edo pilgrims in prayers for the state, Nigeria and its leaders, Mallam Ali D. Suleyman said the Muslim community in Edo State had continued to enjoy inclusiveness and religious support under the present administration.

He prayed, “O Allah, we have a state where we have been privileged to have a governor who has shown tremendous goodwill to Muslims, and we thank Allah for him. May Allah make him continue to progress,”

The Amirul Hajj also offered special prayers for the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, noting that his emergence in government had strengthened the capacity of Muslims in the state to practice their religion freely.

He said, “O Allah, You have given us a son, the SSG, Umar Musa Ikhilor, whose emergence in Edo State Government has enhanced our capacity to practice our religion. He has been conscious and mindful of the challenges of office and, of course, the duties to Allah,”

He further prayed for divine protection, wisdom and favour for the SSG in the discharge of his responsibilities.

He added, “O Allah, do not disgrace him. Protect him from the envy of the envious, the jealousy of the jealous and the wickedness of the wicked. Let him continue to find favour with the governor, his principal, and continue to rise among Muslims in Edo, Southern Nigeria and the country at large,”

The prayer session, held on the Day of Arafat, regarded as the spiritual climax of Hajj, also featured supplications for peace, security and economic recovery in Nigeria.

The Chairman of the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mallam Musa Muhammad Uduimoh, while introducing the session, said the pilgrims considered it necessary to use the sacred occasion to pray for the governor, the SSG and the country.

He said, “We want to pray for our governor, the SSG, ourselves and the entire country in general,”

The Edo pilgrims had earlier held a similar prayer session in Madinah shortly after arriving in Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj exercise.