Hajj: How Uba Sani won hearts of Kaduna pilgrims 

Governor Uba Sani’s decision to trek for six kilometers, in order to felicitate with Kaduna State pilgrims at Mina, and offer prayers to end the insecurity bedeviling the country, have further confirmed him as “The People’s Governor”
The Head of Kaduna State Hajj Delegation, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, said that the Governor’s twin-gestures have demonstrated  that he is a statesman whose conduct is guided by empathy and patriotism.

A statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Ibraheem Musa on Thursday, recalled that the entire roads leading to the tent city of Mina were cordoned off on the night of 13th Dhul Hijjah, and Governor Uba Sani had to trek to where Kaduna pilgrims were residing.
The statement quoted Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha as saying that the Governor did not only commend the pilgrims and their officials for a seamless Hajj, but also gifted each pilgrim with 300 Saudi Riyals to supplement their Basic Travelling Allowances.

According to him, Governor Uba Sani’s personal visit to the pilgrims in Muna was more important than the monetary gifts that he gave them, adding 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. Rather, he asked the pilgrims to pray for the end of the security challenges facing Nigeria and to resist the antics of conflict entrepreneurs who will hide under the banner of politics to foment trouble.
“As an individual, I am praying to Allah(SWT) to grant him his heart’s desires,” Alhaji Abubakar further said.

The Head of Delegation also showered praises on the Malam Salihu S Abubakar-led Special Hajj Committee for its prudence, probity and accountability.

He said that the pilgrims’ accommodation is close to the Al Masjid Haram or the Grand Mosque at Makkah, which is located along Ibrahim Khalil Street in the Misfala district.
Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha said that the meals served pilgrims are delicious, adding that the only complaint   centered around inadequate sauce, which has been addressed.

The Head of Government Delegation also pointed out that the management of Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency was assisted by able 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.

Abubakar Mustapha who is a former Head of Kaduna State Civil Service, recalled that he first performed in 1981 and was made Amirul Hajj in 1999, confessing that this year’s pilgrimage is the best.