Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence and inclusiveness, assuring the Muslim community of continued government support.
Governor Otu, who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, stated this when a delegation of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, paid him a courtesy visit in his office. The delegation was in the state for a sensitisation programme on the 2027 Hajj operation.
He said Cross River has a long-standing culture of tolerance and acceptance, stressing that people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds continue to live and do business 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.
The Governor said his administration had consistently supported the Muslim community whenever the need arose, providing resources and opportunities for engagement, and assured that the gesture would be sustained.
“We are all the same people. We are all Nigerians and human beings. Therefore, what is good for you is good for us,” the Governor said.
He stressed that religious harmony must be promoted across the country, noting that Christians live peacefully in several northern states and Muslims should equally be able to live 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,” he said.
Otu also assured the delegation that the state government would comply with the new Hajj procurement requirements and work towards meeting the September 26, 2026 deadline. He requested the commission to forward the guidelines officially in writing.
Appreciating the delegation, the Governor said peace remained a collective responsibility and assured that the state government would continue to support the Muslim community and recognise its contributions to the development of Cross River.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance, PPMF, NAHCON, Prince Aliu Abdulrazaq, commended Governor Otu for promoting religious harmony and supporting Muslim pilgrims from the state to perform the annual Hajj.
He noted that the delegation’s nationwide sensitisation tour covered the various zones of the country, adding that Cross River was prioritised because of its cordial relationship with the Muslim community.
“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.
The Zonal Coordinator, South-South/South-East, NAHCON, Alhaji Amin Ukoha, also praised Governor Otu for supporting Muslim pilgrims, noting that such assistance was uncommon among governors in the South-South region.
Alhaji Ukoha explained that the sensitisation was aimed at acquainting the state with the new Hajj rules for the 2027 pilgrimage.
According to him, the 2027 Hajj will operate under a 50-50 arrangement, with 50 per cent under the government component and the remaining 50 per cent under the tour operator category. He added that from 2028, Hajj will be run fully under a tour-operator-based system.
He further announced September 26, 2026, as the deadline for intending pilgrims to pay their Hajj fares and complete data capture on the Nusuk Masar platform, warning that those who failed to meet the deadline might not be eligible for the 2027 pilgrimage.
In their remarks, the Commissioners representing the South-South and South-East zones, Hajia Zainab Musa and Hajia Aisha Obi, commended the openness, freedom and participatory disposition of Governor Otu in accommodating and supporting the welfare of the Muslim community in the state. They prayed for God’s protection and good health for him to continue to lead the state well.
The Chairman, Cross River State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Imam Kabeer Olowolayemo, said the NAHCON delegation was in the state as part of the commission’s strategy to sensitise the Muslim community on the new Hajj rules and to appreciate the governor for his unwavering support for Muslims in the State.
The NAHCON delegation also paid a visit to the Special Adviser on Religious Matters, Apostle Frank Umo, who reassured them of the mutual coexistence of all citizens in Cross River State.
Daniel Bebia
