By Christiana Gokyon, Jos
A total of 1,134 pilgrims from Plateau State are expected to participate in the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, out of which 570 were sponsored by the state government, while 564 are self-sponsored.
Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, urged the intending Muslim pilgrims to conduct themselves as worthy ambassadors of the state as they depart for this year’s Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The governor made the call while bidding farewell to the pilgrims at the Lamingo Road headquarters of the Plateau State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (MPWB) in Jos.
Governor Mutfwang charged the pilgrims to uphold the good image of Plateau State, noting the exemplary conduct demonstrated by pilgrims from the state during the previous Hajj exercise.
He urged them to take the spiritual exercise seriously and return home as agents of positive change in their communities.
The governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to peaceful coexistence across the state and called on what he described as “merchants of crisis” to desist from actions capable of undermining peace and development.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Dayyabu Dauda, commended the governor for his continued support to the Board.
He thanked the governor for providing a permanent office accommodation and an administrative bus, describing the gesture as a major boost to the Board’s operations.
Dauda also lauded the administration’s efforts toward ensuring a smooth and hitch-free Hajj exercise for pilgrims from the state.
Governor Mutfwang also appointed Alhaji Idris Wase as the Amirul Hajj to lead Plateau State’s delegation for the 2026 pilgrimage.
