This interview with Hajiya Aishat Obi highlights the growing readiness of Imo State as a strategic hub for Hajj operations in Nigeria. Following her inspection of the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, she affirmed that the state possesses the infrastructure, logistics, and human capacity required to successfully airlift pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
She commended the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma for fostering religious inclusiveness, strengthening security, and supporting Muslim welfare despite being in a minority setting. The interview also addressed minor operational challenges, largely tied to pilgrim compliance and orientation.
Overall, the discussion underscores a commitment to transparency, improved service delivery, and continuous enhancement of Hajj experiences across the South East under her stewardship.
Hajiya Aishat Obi, can you walk us through your recent inspection tour to the Imo International Airport? What were your key observations regarding its readiness for Hajj operations?
Thank you for this Question and the interview in General.
You see, Dubai wasn’t built in a day. Certainly, there has to be painstaking efforts to make whatever is destined for greatness, an entirely new, unsurpassed phenomenal.
In relation to Imo International Airport, I can tell you without fear or favour that it stands ready even before now.
They have been ready for Hajj since before the phenomenal inaugural 2025 Hajj flight in Nigeria took place in Imo state. The facilities and human resources for successful operation of flights directly from Imo state to the Holy land stands ready. As a matter of fact, if you give Imo state the opportunity to make inaugural flight and probably to serve as a stop gap measure for any state having inabilities to fly their Pilgrims to Medina. Imo will do it and still ask for more. That is how ready Imo state is. The special appreciation goes to the first man of the state, who has invested time, emotions, efforts and expertise in the Imo State International airport.
For record purposes, it is called Sam Mbakwe International Airport.
How were you received by the state government officials, airport authorities, and the local Muslim community during your visit to Imo? Did the reception meet your expectations?
I will relate this to Medina. People in Medina are always very welcoming.
In the same vein, the state government officials didn’t show any form of isolation and apathy to my coming. They treated it with open alms and direction.
As for the Muslims of the state, and for the fact that I am from the state, I am seen and treated like a mother, daughter and sister. They have always seen me as their own and I have always seen them as mine.
It is that drive to welcome and accommodate people that you see even the governor that we nicknamed Mustapha exemplify. He sees himself as part of the Muslim, Christian and other religious communities.
The reception from the Muslim community is akin to visiting your own domain after years of travel. You understand the ecstatic awaiting and the joy people are ready to express upon seeing your presence.
From your professional standpoint as the South East Commissioner of NAHCON, how would you rate the infrastructure and logistical preparedness of the airport for pilgrims?
Thank you for this question.
Professionally, there are five standard procedures and measures used in accessing Hajj camp for Pilgrims.
I. Physical environment. ii. Facilities iii. Physical and Safety measures. iv Welfare iiv Logistics.
These five measures to ensure that Hajj preparation meets standard, though having several order sub measures in it, puts Imo state Hajj camp and its preparedness as second to none.
I am not making this up. It is what I saw with my eyes. The Prophet Muhammad said, ليس الخير كالمعينت – hearing the news is not like seeing it. What I saw put Imo Hajj camp at the top in Nigeria. Even though it doesn’t get to the first position, it would be at top three (best) Hajj camp in Nigeria.
Again, thanks to Governor Hope Uzodimma who made that possible. Giving the Muslim minorities of the state something to brag about in Nigeria in the midst of other Muslims. You know, it is rare to see Muslim minorities in different places of Nigeria, given sense of belonging.
That is Hope Uzodimma for you. He said upon the assumption of office while addressing Muslims on a special occasion “I will carry you along.”
What level of cooperation did you receive from the Imo State Government, particularly in ensuring smooth Hajj operations for intending pilgrims?
It is as if you’re following what I am about to say.
The cooperation from a governor that is a non Muslim can match and defeat many Muslim Governors. It is not everything that is meant for the media.
But the ones needing attention and applause will certainly be made known.
The Governor’s cooperation started since when he made that promise of bringing Muslim of the state along in the good he serves to others.
Governor Hope made Imo Hajj camp a standard one. He assured the Muslim of necessary security for their Hajj exercise. He has made ready the comfortable dispensing of Basic Transport Allowance to Pilgrims.
In addition, he made possible the personnel and staff to ensure smooth operation in the Hajj camp and airport are ready.
On a personal note, the staff and operators treated us like people of special calibre. You can tell from a psychological and environmental point of view, that they are ready for the Hajj operation to kick start.
You have consistently described Governor Hope Uzodimma as one of the best-performing governors in Nigeria. Can you specifically highlight the projects, policies, or reforms he has implemented that justify this strong endorsement?
My Answer:
Let me start from my office and area of strength.
First, Governor Hope wanted the inaugural flight to Hajj 2025 and he achieved it. Alhamdulillah!
We have to understand that he isn’t a Muslim but wants to register his name as a leading governor even in preparation for Muslim activities.
When Pilgrims and the presidency, with the Sultanate inclusive visited, their expectations were not only meant but surpassed.
His Hajj board of 2025 showed inclusiveness that will put many Governors to shame when they mention inclusivity. In the Hajj board you would see Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, etc. Something that even a platform wrote about.
Insecurity replaced with security:
Muslims and non Muslims alike were under threat, attacks and in many cases killed. Some regrettably reported scenarios are, where captured victims by non state actors/ipob, cannibalise them.
My foundation was attacked. My house was burnt. My investments were razed down by the same ipob.
But, with the help of Hope Uzodimma, the terror group destabilizing our state, targeting Muslims for execution has become a past event. Alhamdulillah!
Other things the Governor has done are as follows:
a. Building and Improvement of infrastructures like roads, to mention a few.
b. Maintenance of public infrastructures.
c. Security
d. Welcoming and accommodation of non igbo and non imolite.
How has the governor’s efforts directly or indirectly improved Hajj coordination, Muslim welfare, or religious inclusiveness in Imo State?
Governor Hope Uzodimma positioning himself as pan Nigerian made it possible that people that aren’t even from the state can head Hajj board or hold different positions in the board. That clears the area of accommodating other tribes in the state.
That alone awakened the Muslimness spirit of Muslim of the state to think along Islamic line rather than tribal line. Something most states can only dream of.
Bringing different hands which means experts and professionals handling Hajj activities made Imo to score higher in Hajj operation and activities in the holy land and in Nigeria.
Hope Uzodimma infrastructural drive and policy of inclusion has brought Muslim of different backgrounds together and brought Christians, and Muslims together more.
In every thing he does for the Christians, he carries Muslims along. In anything he does for the Muslims, he carries the Christian along. Replay the 2025 inaugural Hajj flight ceremony video in Imo state. You would see Pastors and Bishop.
That is a policy of understanding, inclusion and cohesion in practice, in action. Not lip service or sound bites.
Tell me a Muslim minority state that caters for its minority like that. Like I said, what Hope Uzodimma Mustapha is doing surpasses even many Muslim Governors in Nigeria.
Did you identify any challenges that could affect Hajj operations from the South East zone, particularly from Imo? What steps are being taken to address them?
From the Governor angle, the challenges have been overcome.
From the Pilgrims or members of the organizers angle, you could see despite orientation and re orientation, some individuals would still want to carry things that are banned in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Kola nut for example.
Things that are completely not allowed even in flight, some Pilgrims will still take it along. Some Pilgrims coming late to Hajj orientation.
From Hajj organizers (Muslims guide now), you could hear claims of missing names.
In addition, inadequate meal for Pilgrims while in Hajj.
Like I have said, these are purely individual habits and operations with no tangential connection to the Governor.
All what is needed for Imo state Hajj to be successful has been provided.
What remains is, whether the Pilgrims and the Hajj committee meant to guide them will fear Allah and perform their duties, knowing there is a day that even your hands and eyes will speak for you or against you.
What message do you have for intending pilgrims from the South East region as preparations for the upcoming Hajj intensify?
They should be at the Hajj orientation camp on time. They must observe every activity that is expected of them. They should on their own read on what to avoid and what to engage in while on Hajj. They should pray for our nation and our leaders. They should remember the poor in their prayers and those who aided them to Hajj. They should focus on ibaadah and stop making pictures, their priorities in Hajj.
I am not saying don’t snap. Please, avoid making your sanctuary of worship your studio of photo shoot.
The less you’re concerned about pictures, the more you will be concerned about ibaadah.
Here, you will truly know and understand you have been invited by Allah your creator to worship him in a special way.
What are your broader plans as South East Commissioner to improve Hajj experiences and infrastructure across the region?
My broader plan has not changed. Wherever I am giving a free hand to operate like Hope Uzodimma did, my innovative instincts start to work. Different states and its unique areas of lapses. Each area is treated to shape in the area it has lapses.
Finally, what should Nigerians, especially those in the South East, expect from NAHCON under your watch in terms of transparency, efficiency, and service delivery?
As a NAHCON officer, my achievements are there and verifiable. In transparency, we will approve what is up to standard and not manouver it to place it doesn’t deserve, if it is lacking in standard and expectations.
We will ensure every kobo meant for who and for what, is delivered adequately for all it is meant for.
In efficiency, we will look at improving what we have, and ensure errors are avoided in Hajj exercise.
In service delivery, all efforts to ensure Hajj operation 2026 will be met with success. Inshaa Allah, our service delivery will be better than last year, 2025.
