DIPLOMAN TIMES

Bauchi State Governor Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has approved new leadership appointments for the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board following the elevation of former board leaders to traditional emirate stools.

Bauchi State Governor Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has approved a comprehensive restructuring of the executive leadership of the Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board. Under the newly approved board composition, Ambassador Sulaiman Santuraki, the District Head of Tirwun, has been appointed as Chairman, while Alhaji Aliyu Abdulkadir Ahmed, the District Head of Gamawa, assumes office as Deputy Chairman.

The administrative restructuring became necessary following the elevation of the previous board leadership to traditional royal stools, specifically the appointments of former board members to the Emirate thrones of Lere and Gamawa. The newly appointed executive officers bring extensive administrative experience to guarantee seamless operational continuity in managing annual pilgrimage exercises.

In a concurrent executive order, Governor Bala Mohammed approved the formal appointment of His Royal Highness Alhaji Nura Adamu Jumba, the Emir of Lere and outgoing Pilgrims Board Chairman, to serve as the State’s Amirul Hajj for the upcoming 2027 Hajj operations in Saudi Arabia. The appointment reflects the administration's trust in the monarch's leadership and organizational capabilities.

Governor Bala Mohammed commended the outgoing board leadership for their exemplary service, transparency, and successful management of recent pilgrimage operations, which earned Bauchi State national recognition for pilgrim welfare and logistics efficiency. The Governor urged the incoming board members to maintain rigorous standards, streamline travel documentation, and safeguard pilgrim health and security.

Accepting their appointments, the new board leadership pledged to leverage modern digital management tools, enhance orientation programs for prospective pilgrims, and work closely with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). The state government reiterated its commitment to supporting religious welfare institutions across Bauchi State.