The Permanent Secretary for Special Services in the Office of the Secretary to the Bauchi State Government, Shehu Yahaya Jalam, has died in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, during the ongoing 2026 Hajj pilgrimage.
Jalam reportedly passed away in the early hours of Sunday following a brief illness while participating in the pilgrimage exercise.
The deceased, who held the traditional title of Turakin Dawakin Misau, was part of the Bauchi State official delegation to Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj before falling ill.
The Bauchi State Government confirmed the development in a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Bala Mohammed, Mukhtar Gidado.
“The Government and people of Bauchi State have received with deep sorrow the news of the death of Alhaji Shehu Yahaya Jalam (Turakin Dawakin Misau), the Permanent Secretary, Special Services, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Bauchi, who passed away in the early hours of today in Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, after a brief illness while participating in the 2026 Hajj exercise,” the statement read.
Gidado described the late permanent secretary as a committed and seasoned public servant who made valuable contributions to governance in the state.
“Until his death, Alhaji Shehu Yahaya Jalam was a dedicated, loyal, and hardworking public servant who devoted his life and energy to the service of Bauchi State.
“He played significant roles in the successful coordination of previous Hajj operations and other government assignments entrusted to him,” he added.
According to him, the deceased would be remembered for his dedication, humility, and unwavering sense of duty.
“His passing is a great loss not only to his immediate family and colleagues but also to the entire Bauchi State Government and the wider community who benefited from his commitment, humility, and sense of responsibility,” Gidado said.
The statement further disclosed that funeral prayers for the deceased were conducted on Sunday after the Zuhr prayer at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
Governor Bala Mohammed extended condolences to the family of the deceased, the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, the Office of the Head of Civil Service, the Misau and Dambam Emirate Councils, as well as his friends and associates.
The governor prayed for the forgiveness of the deceased’s shortcomings and asked Allah to grant him Aljannatul Firdaus, while also comforting his family over the loss.
