The Amirul Hajj of Katsina State for the 2026 Hajj exercise, Alhaji Ahmad Usman El-Marzouk, has commended the Katsina State Government and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for their roles in ensuring a successful pilgrimage for pilgrims from the state.
Speaking in an interview in Saudi Arabia, the Amirul Hajj attributed the success of the operation to effective collaboration among Hajj administrators, thorough pilgrim education, and the commitment of stakeholders involved in the exercise.
According to him, preparations for the pilgrimage began immediately after his appointment, with a series of meetings held between the Amirul Hajj team, the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board, and other stakeholders.
“We organized various seminars and enlightenment programmes across the state to educate intending pilgrims on the rites of Hajj and what to expect during their stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” he said.
He noted that the extensive sensitization campaigns helped pilgrims become familiar with Hajj procedures before departure, making the exercise smoother and reducing challenges during the pilgrimage.
Assessing the services provided to pilgrims, Alhaji El-Marzouk expressed satisfaction with the quality of accommodation, transportation, and feeding arrangements.
“By the time our pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia, they were already knowledgeable about the Hajj rites because of the education they received. We found the arrangements on ground very suitable, and NAHCON has done a great job in providing adequate transportation, accommodation, and feeding services,” he stated.
The Amirul Hajj revealed that Katsina pilgrims recorded minimal complaints throughout the exercise, particularly regarding the key welfare services provided during their stay in Madinah, Makkah, Mina, and Arafat.
He therefore praised NAHCON for its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims and prayed for Allah’s continued guidance for the Commission in the discharge of its responsibilities.
Alhaji El-Marzouk also lauded the Katsina State Governor, Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda, for his unwavering support to pilgrims from the state.
He disclosed that Governor Radda sponsored the Hadaya (sacrificial animal) for every pilgrim from Katsina State performing the Tamattu’i Hajj, thereby relieving them of a significant financial burden.
“The Governor graciously paid for the Hadaya of every Katsina pilgrim. This was a major intervention because, without it, many pilgrims would have faced financial challenges that could have affected their welfare and convenience during the pilgrimage,” he explained.
The Amirul Hajj further recalled that Governor Radda personally visited pilgrims in Mina and Arafat, where he interacted with them and monitored their welfare during the peak period of the Hajj exercise.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board explained the arrangements made for the distribution of Zamzam water to returning pilgrims.
He said the decision to transport Zamzam water separately was based on international aviation safety regulations, which prohibit pilgrims from carrying water inside their luggage or on board aircraft.
According to him, NAHCON and other stakeholders coordinated the transportation of five litres of Zamzam water for each pilgrim to their final destinations in Nigeria.
The Executive Director added that Katsina State had already put measures in place to ensure seamless distribution of the holy water upon the pilgrims’ arrival.
He also expressed gratitude to Governor Radda for his continuous support to Hajj operations, noting that the Governor’s interventions contributed immensely to the success recorded during the 2026 pilgrimage.
He disclosed that following the submission of the 2025 Hajj report, Governor Radda had pledged even greater support for future Hajj operations, a commitment that has continued to benefit pilgrims from the state.
The Katsina delegation is currently preparing for the return journey to Nigeria following the successful completion of the 2026 Hajj rites.