The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has commended the Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, for promoting religious harmony, peaceful coexistence and inclusiveness, as well as consistently supporting the Muslim community and intending pilgrims in the state.
The commendation came during a courtesy visit by a NAHCON delegation to Governor Otu in his office as part of the Commission’s nationwide sensitisation programme on the new policies and operational framework for the 2027 Hajj.
The Governor, who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to religious tolerance and equal treatment of citizens irrespective of their faith or ethnic background.
He said Cross River State had a long-standing tradition of peaceful coexistence, noting that people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds had continued to live, work and conduct their businesses freely in the state.
“From the very beginning, Cross River State has been known for its culture of tolerance and acceptance. Welcoming and accommodating people from different backgrounds is part of who we are because Cross River is a cosmopolitan state,” he said.
Governor Otu said his administration had consistently supported the Muslim community whenever the need arose, providing resources and opportunities for engagement, and assured that such support would continue.
“We are all the same people. We are all Nigerians and human beings. Therefore, what is good for you is good for us,” he said.
He emphasised the need for religious harmony across Nigeria, stressing that Christians living peacefully in northern states should be matched by the freedom of Muslims to live and practise their faith peacefully in Cross River.
“If Christians can live peacefully in the northern part of the country, Muslims should also be able to live peacefully here in Cross River State. We are one Nigeria,” the governor said.
Otu also assured the NAHCON delegation that the state government would comply with the Commission’s new Hajj procurement requirements and work towards meeting the September 26, 2026 deadline.
He, however, requested that NAHCON formally forward the relevant guidelines to the state government in writing to facilitate compliance.
The governor described peace as a collective responsibility and assured the delegation that his administration would continue to recognise and support the contributions of the Muslim community to the development of Cross River State.
Earlier, the NAHCON Commissioner for Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance (PPMF), Prince Aliu Abdulrazaq, commended Governor Otu for his commitment to religious harmony and his support for Muslim pilgrims from Cross River State.
Abdulrazaq explained that the delegation was undertaking a nationwide sensitisation tour to acquaint states and Muslim communities with the new arrangements for the 2027 Hajj.
He said Cross River was given priority because of its cordial relationship with the Muslim community and the peaceful coexistence among adherents of different faiths in the state.
“Cross River is one of the first states we are proud of. I have never heard of any issue of fighting between Muslims and Christians here. I really appreciate the governor for that,” he said.
Also speaking, NAHCON Zonal Coordinator for South-South/South-East, Alhaji Amin Ukoha, praised Governor Otu for his support for Muslim pilgrims, describing the gesture as remarkable among governors in the South-South region.
Ukoha said the sensitisation programme was designed to familiarise the state and prospective pilgrims with the new policies introduced for the 2027 Hajj operation.
According to him, the 2027 pilgrimage will operate under a 50-50 arrangement, with 50 per cent of the operation under the government component and the remaining 50 per cent under the tour operator category.
He added that from 2028, the Hajj operation would move fully to a tour-operator-based system.
Ukoha further disclosed that September 26, 2026, had been fixed as the deadline for intending pilgrims to pay their Hajj fares and complete their data capture on the Nusuk Masar platform.
He warned that intending pilgrims who failed to meet the deadline might not be eligible to participate in the 2027 Hajj.
In their separate remarks, NAHCON Commissioners representing the South-South and South-East zones, Hajia Zainab Musa and Hajia Aisha Obi, commended Governor Otu for his openness, inclusiveness and support for the welfare of the Muslim community.
They praised the governor’s participatory approach to governance and prayed for his continued good health, protection and wisdom to lead the state.
The Chairman of the Cross River State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Imam Kabeer Olowolayemo, said the NAHCON delegation was in the state not only to sensitise the Muslim community on the new Hajj policies but also to appreciate Governor Otu for his unwavering support for Muslims and pilgrims in the state.
The delegation also visited the Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Matters, Apostle Frank Umo, who reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and equal treatment of citizens irrespective of religious affiliation.
The NAHCON visit is part of the Commission’s broader engagement with states ahead of the 2027 Hajj, particularly on the new Saudi Arabian policies, operational deadlines, pilgrimage financing and the transition towards a tour-operator-driven Hajj system.