FCT Pilgrims Laud Wike’s Support for Successful 2025 Hajj Operation
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board has commended the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, for providing tremendous support for the successful 2025 Hajj operation.
The Director of the Board, Malam Kadiri Edah, gave the commendation in an interview with newsmen in Makkah on Monday.
Kadiri said Wike being a non Muslim, as well as the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Bunkure, granted the board necessary approvals for smooth Hajj operations.
“He (Wike) did well because FCT pilgrims never lacked anything. And he also gave us the free hands without serious personal intervention in our activities.
He attributed the feats recorded by the board during the 2025 Hajj operation to the support given by the FCT administration.
According to him, the achievements starting with the sales of forms.
“After the sales of forms, we organise education and orientation programmes for our pilgrims within which we did some medical examinations for our pilgrims to be sure they are fit for the exercise.
“Besides, we also educate our pilgrims on some of the Islamic rites, apart from medical screening. We also educate them on how to conduct themselves when they get to Saudi Arabia, so that they don’t violate the laws of the host country.”
The FCT board director also praised the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for recording feats in the just concluded 2025 Hajj operations.
“NAHCON did well compared to previous years. The airlifting operations for the pilgrims were very smooth, because the airliners that were allocated, especially to FCT, if I may talk about FCT, had the capacity to transport many as 400 as against 200 last year.
“And then coming to menu, they did pretty well, because as we observed, the tents provided were much spacious than they used to be, and the food was commendable.
“And the issue of health, they did well too, because for issues that we had, there was prompt attention, prompt responses. I think it was a fair mark for them.”
Edah said although there were issues of visa, because 1500 pilgrims were granted visa out of 1,531, adding that remaining 31 pilgrims could not come for Hajj due to visa closure by the government of Saudi Arabia.
He said that the board did its best in areas of accommodation and Nigerian food given to its pilgrims.
“On the issue of welfare, we did our best. As far as accommodation is concerned, you can find out, as I told you, accommodation is within the vicinity of Masjid Haram, it is a trekkable distance.
“And then the food we are giving our pilgrims when compared to other states,
I think it’s one of the best so far.
“You can find out from the pilgrims how far, compared to what they used to have before.
“I’m not the one saying this, it is the response I got from people, or people are telling me, commending me, for the food especially.”
The FCT board director said the board was able to manage the health challenges facing its pilgrims.
He cited a case of a staff member who collapsed and was rushed to the health centre with the ambulance during Arafat Day.
“In fact, at a point, he was almost unconscious but he got resuscitated and came back to the tent late in the night and he is well now
The Director of the Board, Malam Kadiri Edah, gave the commendation in an interview with newsmen in Makkah on Monday.
Kadiri said Wike being a non Muslim, as well as the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Bunkure, granted the board necessary approvals for smooth Hajj operations.
“He (Wike) did well because FCT pilgrims never lacked anything. And he also gave us the free hands without serious personal intervention in our activities.
“I want to use the opportunity to thank him, and by extension the FCT Minister of State for providing unwavering support to the board and FCT pilgrims in general.
He attributed the feats recorded by the board during the 2025 Hajj operation to the support given by the FCT administration.
According to him, the achievements starting with the sales of forms.
“After the sales of forms, we organise education and orientation programmes for our pilgrims within which we did some medical examinations for our pilgrims to be sure they are fit for the exercise.
“Besides, we also educate our pilgrims on some of the Islamic rites, apart from medical screening. We also educate them on how to conduct themselves when they get to Saudi Arabia, so that they don’t violate the laws of the host country.”
The FCT board director also praised the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for recording feats in the just concluded 2025 Hajj operations.
“NAHCON did well compared to previous years. The airlifting operations for the pilgrims were very smooth, because the airliners that were allocated, especially to FCT, if I may talk about FCT, had the capacity to transport many as 400 as against 200 last year.
“And then coming to menu, they did pretty well, because as we observed, the tents provided were much spacious than they used to be, and the food was commendable.
“And the issue of health, they did well too, because for issues that we had, there was prompt attention, prompt responses. I think it was a fair mark for them.”
Edah said although there were issues of visa, because 1500 pilgrims were granted visa out of 1,531, adding that remaining 31 pilgrims could not come for Hajj due to visa closure by the government of Saudi Arabia.
He said that the board did its best in areas of accommodation and Nigerian food given to its pilgrims.
“On the issue of welfare, we did our best. As far as accommodation is concerned, you can find out, as I told you, accommodation is within the vicinity of Masjid Haram, it is a trekkable distance.
“And then the food we are giving our pilgrims when compared to other states,
I think it’s one of the best so far.
“You can find out from the pilgrims how far, compared to what they used to have before.
“I’m not the one saying this, it is the response I got from people, or people are telling me, commending me, for the food especially.”
The FCT board director said the board was able to manage the health challenges facing its pilgrims.
He cited a case of a staff member who collapsed and was rushed to the health centre with the ambulance during Arafat Day.
“In fact, at a point, he was almost unconscious but he got resuscitated and came back to the tent late in the night and he is well now
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