Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has commended the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board for its outstanding performance during the 2026 Hajj exercise and pledged his administration’s continued support for the successful conduct of the 2027 pilgrimage.
Okpebholo gave the commendation when he received the report of the 2026 Hajj exercise from the leadership of the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board at the Government House in Benin City on Tuesday.
The governor, who said he personally followed the activities of the pilgrims and the board during the exercise, congratulated the team on the award received by Edo State from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in recognition of its patience, perseverance and outstanding coordination.
“I congratulate you for the award. I think you have done very well because I followed up everything,” Okpebholo said.
He urged the board to commence preparations for the 2027 Hajj early, assuring the team that his administration would provide the necessary support to further improve the pilgrimage exercise.
“I urge you to begin early with the preparation for the 2027 Hajj exercise. You will have my support in everything that is required to improve on it. I know you will do better,” the governor said.
The report was presented by a delegation led by the Amirul Hajj, HRH Mallam Ali D. Sulayman, the Oghieaga of Ivbie. The delegation included the Chairman of the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mallam Musa Muhammad Uduimoh, and the Executive Secretary, Alhaji Eranga Abdulkabir Muhammadkabir.
Presenting the report on behalf of the board, the Amirul Hajj thanked the governor for his continued support towards the welfare of Muslims and Muslim pilgrims in the state.
He said the 2026 Hajj was successful and attributed part of the achievement to the support and logistics provided by the state government.
“Your Excellency, we are here to present the report for the 2026 Hajj in preparation for the 2027 Hajj. We had a good Hajj. Edo State won an award from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria in recognition of its patience, perseverance and outstanding coordination,” he said.
HRH Ali D. Sulayman particularly commended the governor for improving transportation arrangements for pilgrims, recalling that the state government provided vehicles to convey pilgrims between Benin and Lagos during the previous Hajj.
According to him, the support was expanded during the 2026 exercise, with government vehicles conveying pilgrims from Lagos to their respective senatorial districts.
“We appreciate you so much because, last year, you provided vehicles to convey the pilgrims from Benin to Lagos and Lagos to Benin. But this year, you provided vehicles to convey them to the various senatorial districts. This is outside the other logistics support,” he said.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the Amirul Hajj said proper coordination and cooperation among stakeholders remained essential to sustaining the gains recorded in Hajj operations.
He said the pilgrimage should not be viewed merely as a social or spiritual exercise, but also as an avenue for promoting the common good and enhancing the image of the state and its government.
“With cooperation and proper coordination, we will save the government from a lot of embarrassment and there will be a lot of progress made because it is not just a social or spiritual exercise, but also a way of enhancing our common good and the name and image of Edo governor and government,” he said.
He described the administration’s support for pilgrims as evidence of an inclusive government that cares about the interests and welfare of all sections of society.
“That is an inclusive government that cares for all interests. We thank God for that. We have never had it so good as far as Hajj operations are concerned,” he added.
The Amirul Hajj also highlighted the provision of transportation from Lagos to the various senatorial districts, as well as arrangements for good accommodation and quality food, describing the improvements as significant milestones in the state’s Hajj operations.
He urged stakeholders and members of the Muslim community to align with the administration’s vision and support its efforts to improve the welfare of citizens.
Also present at the meeting were the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq.; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Yakubu Musa; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Religious Matters, Hon. Ahmed Musa Momoh, among others.