Gov Bello
Niger State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello on Monday said the
state would no longer sponsor pilgrims to Holy lands of Jerusalem and
Mecca.
Decision to this
effect was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary
to the governor, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace in Minna.
The governor said the present economic challenges in the
country informed the decision of government to stop forthwith state
sponsorship of intending Muslim pilgrims for Hajj in Saudi Arabia and
Christians to Jerusalem in Israel.
"In view of the present national economic challenges - a
situation well known to all, sponsorship of pilgrims to holy land to
perform pilgrimage has been put on hold with immediate effect.
"Government is committed to supporting our people in
fulfilling their religious obligation but the dwindling economic
fortunes of the state, in the face of other equally people oriented
demands, sponsorship of pilgrims to Hajj and Jerusalem is hereby
suspended," the governor state.
He however said that government will continue to be
responsible for the sponsorship of officials to the holy lands to
facilitate and ensure hitch free pilgrimage to either lands.
Gov. Sani Bello
then assured the people of his administration resolve to meet its
obligations to the Governments of Israel and Saudi Arabia for a hitch
free pilgrimage and to ensure welfare of pilgrims whenever on the holy
lands.
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