By: Lamara Garba
The Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board has secured a strategic partnership with a Makkah-based humanitarian foundation to provide free eye care services to pilgrims from the state currently performing the 2026 Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The initiative will offer a wide range of eye care interventions, including cataract surgeries, comprehensive eye examinations, and the supply of prescribed medications, all at no cost to beneficiaries.
The programme is designed to improve the health and welfare of Jigawa pilgrims, particularly elderly worshippers and those suffering from vision-related ailments, enabling them to carry out their religious obligations with greater ease and comfort while in the Holy Land.
Speaking on the development, the Director-General of the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Ahmad Umar Labbo, said the collaboration underscores the board’s commitment to prioritising the well-being of pilgrims throughout their spiritual journey.
According to him, the board remains focused on introducing impactful programmes and welfare initiatives that directly enhance the Hajj experience of pilgrims, both before their departure from Nigeria and during their stay in Saudi Arabia.
He explained that the free eye care programme would provide timely medical support to pilgrims with existing eye conditions, helping them overcome health challenges that could hinder the performance of Hajj rites.
Alhaji Labbo further noted that the partnership reflects the board’s determination to strengthen healthcare support services for pilgrims and ensure that they receive the necessary medical attention whenever the need arises.
The initiative has received widespread commendation from Jigawa pilgrims, many of whom described it as a welcome intervention capable of addressing common eye health problems among worshippers, especially the elderly.
Observers have also hailed the programme as a significant step towards improving pilgrims’ welfare, describing it as another milestone in the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board’s efforts to place the health, comfort and overall well-being of pilgrims at the centre of its operations in the Holy Land.