Bauchi Govt sponsors 176 christians for 2024 Jerusalem Pilgrimage

By Samuel Luka, Bauchi

Bauchi state government has sponsored not fewer than 176 christians for the 2024 Jerusalem Pilgrimage, the Executive Secretary, Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board Bauchi state, Ibrahim M. Gwallang said on Monday.

Speaking after inspecting the last phase of the screening exercise of intending pilgrims in his office, Gwallang expressed gratitude to Governor Bala Mohammed for extending such a good gesture to the christian Community in the state.

“Today, we are doing the final screening, we have done the first one. You know, due to the importance our Governor attached to the board, he sponsored more pilgrims this year, that is why we splitted the screening into two phases to ease the process, and we are doing the final one today”, the Executive Secretary of the Board explained.

The ES who expressed delight with the conduct of the intending pilgrims during the screening which he described as moving smoothly, added that the beneficiaries are all happy with the gesture of the state Governor for giving them the opportunity to be among those that would perform this year’s holy pilgrimage in Israel.

Gwallang who applauded Governor Bala Mohammed for sponsoring such a huge number of intending pilgrims despite high price of the seat which he said goes not less than N6million per intending pilgrim, praised the Governor for doing so much for christians in the state.

“The Governor has done so much for us, he doesn’t discriminate, he ensures that all segments of the society are carried along. Now we have 176 intending pilgrims for this year, so we really appreciate him for this show of love”, he said.

While wishing the intending pilgrims well, the ES who commended the screening officials for carrying out their task diligently, enjoined those that are awaiting the screening to conduct themselves in an orderly manner.

Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Bala Mohammed of the state on Christian Religious Affairs, Pastor Zakka L. Magaji appreciated God for the purposeful leadership style and laudable achievements of the Governor across the state.

Pastor Zakka said that the achievements of the Governor is a reflection of what the bible says that “when a righteous rule, the people rejoices”.

“We, here in Bauchi are witnessing the confirmation of the word of God. This year, despite the inflation, the amount to pay for the holy pilgrimage is too high but His Excellency because of his kind gesture and his effort to deliver dividends of democracy to all the citizens irrespective of religious sentiment graciously sponsored 176 intending pilgrims to the holy land”, he said.

“If you total the money, it’s a huge amount because all of the intending pilgrims from Bauchi are being sponsored by the state government”, Pastor Zakka added.