Bauchi Permanent Secretary Dies During Hajj in Saudi Arabia

Alhaji Shehu Yahaya Jalam, the Permanent Secretary of Special Services in the Bauchi State Government, died in the early hours of Saturday in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, while participating in the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage. Governor Bala Abdulkadir Moham expressed profound grief over the loss, describing it as a painful and unfortunate event for the state, which has lost a committed public servant who dedicated many years to government service and public administration.

In a condolence message issued by Mukhtar Gidado, the governor acknowledged Jalam's discipline, loyalty, and commitment to duty. He noted Jalam's significant contributions to coordinating previous Hajj operations and handling sensitive government responsibilities with diligence and professionalism.

The governor stated that Jalam's passing is a great loss not only to his family and colleagues but also to the entire Bauchi State government and the wider community. Funeral prayers for the late Permanent Secretary were scheduled to be held at the Holy Mosque in Kaaba, Makkah, during the Zuhr prayer on Sunday.