By Usman Walin Gungura, Bauchi
The Executive Secretary of the Bauchi State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board, Dr. Imam Abdulrahman Ibrahim, has announced May 7th, 2026, as the date for the airlift of intending pilgrims from the state to Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Imam made this known on recently during a meeting with journalists covering the board’s activities in his office, where he informed that the engagement was part of efforts to strengthen operational planning and ensure strict compliance with airport regulations, following concerns raised over lapses recorded during last year’s operation.
The Executive Secretary, informed that Alhaji Shehu Yahaya Jalam, was appointed as Chairman of Information and Publicity Committee, responsible for coordinating media activities before, during and after the exercise, while calling on journalists covering the hajj activities to cooperate with the chairman for effective performance.
He also announced that, intending pilgrims from Plateau State are scheduled to commence airlift on the 5th and 6th of May, from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport, Bauchi.
He advised pilgrims to safeguard their e-passports, citing an incident during the previous Hajj in which a pilgrim was returned to Nigeria after arriving in Saudi Arabia without the required travel document.
Dr. Imam confirmed that Bauchi State has 2,090 intending pilgrims, who will be airlifted in five flights within 10 days to the Holy land for the pilgrimage.
The chairman, Information and Publicity Committee of the 2026 Hajj Operation, Alhaji Shehu Yahaya Jalam, expressed gratitude to the Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr. Imam Abdulrahman, for organizing such an important meeting with journalists covering this year’s exercise to brainstorm on effective coverage and decimation of accurate publicity to project the image of Bauchi State during the exercise from home and Saudi Arabia.
While assuring the Secretary, of media’s support for successful coverage and effective publicity throughout the exercise, Jalam urged for good welfare package to those engaged in covering the activities for better performance.
