By Onwa Ekor
Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, assuring the Muslim community of sustained government support.
Otu spoke through the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, during a courtesy visit by a delegation of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, to his office in Calabar, recently.
The delegation was in the state for a sensitisation programme on the 2027 Hajj operations.
The governor said Cross River has a long-standing culture of tolerance and accommodation, noting that people of diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds have continued to live and do business freely in the state.
“From the very beginning, Cross River 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.
Otu added that his administration had consistently supported the Muslim community and would sustain the gesture.
“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 stated.
He stressed the need to promote religious harmony nationwide, adding that just as Christians live peacefully in several northern states, Muslims should also live peacefully in Cross River.
Otu further assured the delegation that the state government would comply with the new Hajj procurement requirements and work toward meeting the September 26, 2026 deadline.
He requested that NAHCON forward the guidelines to the state officially in writing.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance at NAHCON, Prince Aliu Abdulrazaq, commended Otu for promoting religious harmony and supporting Muslim pilgrims from the state.
He said the commission’s nationwide sensitisation tour prioritised Cross River 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,” Abdulrazaq said.
Also speaking, the Zonal Coordinator, South-South/South-East, NAHCON, Alhaji Amin Ukoha, lauded Otu for supporting Muslim pilgrims, describing the gesture as uncommon among governors in the South-South region.
Ukoha explained that the 2027 Hajj would operate under a 50-50 arrangement: 50 per cent government component and 50 per cent tour operator category.
He added that from 2028, Hajj operations would be run fully under a tour-operator-based system.
The Zonal Coordinator further announced September 26, 2026, as the deadline for intending pilgrims to pay fares and complete data capture on the Nusuk Masar platform, warning that failure to meet the deadline could lead to disqualification from the 2027 pilgrimage.
The commissioners representing the South-South and South-East zones, Hajia Zanab Musa and Hajia Aisha Obi, respectively, lauded the governor’s openness and commitment to the welfare of the Muslim community, and prayed for God’s protection and good health for him.
The Chairman of the Cross River State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Imam Kabeer Olowolayemo, said the visit was part of NAHCON’s strategy to sensitise the Muslim community on the new Hajj rules and to appreciate the governor’s unwavering support.
The delegation also visited the Special Adviser on Religious Matters, Apostle Frank Umo, who reassured them of mutual coexistence among all citizens in the state.
