A Permanent Secretary in Bauchi State, Shehu Yahaya Jalam, has died in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, while performing the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage.
Jalam, who served as Permanent Secretary for Special Services in the Office of the Secretary to the Bauchi State Government, reportedly passed away in the early hours of Sunday following a brief illness while in the Holy Land with the state’s Hajj delegation.
The deceased, who held the traditional title of Turakin Dawakin Misau, was part of the Bauchi State contingent that travelled to Saudi Arabia for the annual religious exercise.
The Bauchi State Government confirmed his death in a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Bala Mohammed, Mukhtar Gidado, describing the development as a moment of deep sorrow for the state.
According to the statement, Jalam was a dedicated and hardworking public servant who committed his career to the service of Bauchi State. It also noted his contributions to the coordination of previous Hajj operations and other government assignments.
The government said his death is a significant loss not only to his family and colleagues but also to the wider state civil service and the people of Bauchi.
His funeral prayer was held on Sunday after the Zuhr prayer at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
Governor Bala Mohammed extended condolences to the deceased’s family, colleagues, and traditional institutions, praying for Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.
