Bauchi Gov Gifts $17,600 To intending Christian Pilgrims, Reiterates Commitment To inclusive Governance

By Samuel Luka, Bauchi

Bauchi state government under Governor Bala Mohammed has announced the gifts of $100 to each of the 176 intending Christian Jerusalem pilgrimage to the holy land of Israel.

The Governor who announced the gesture while bidding the intending Pilgrims farewell at the government house Tuesday, said the gifts was meant to help them perform the religious rights with ease.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to promoting religious harmony, inclusivity and equity in the state.

The Governor while stating that pilgrimage is a religious obligation, enjoined the intending Pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state and Nigeria while in the holy land of Israel.

“As a spiritual exercise, pilgrimage affords people with the opportunity to come nearer to their creator and pray for the forgiveness of their transgressions”, the Governor said.

“Despite the pausity of funds, my government has decided to sponsor 176 intending Pilgrims. I therefore hope that, as my brothers and sisters, they will reciprocate this gesture by their prayers and continued cooperation to the government”, the Governor disclosed.

Governor Mohammed who also assured that the Bauchi government has made adequate arrangements for the success of the pilgrimage exercise, expressed commitment to supporting pilgrims from all faiths in the state.

Governor Mohammed who advised the intending Pilgrims to focus on the spiritual exercise rather than reducing it to shopping spree or pleasure, warned against diluting the spiritual content of the pilgrimage with worldly pleasure.

According to him, the pilgrimage is an avenue for communing with God and affirm the stories read in the Bible and get spiritually rejuvenated at the end of the exercise.

Earlier in their goodwill messages, the Executive Secretary, Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Ibrahim Gwalan, SSA to the Governor on Christian Religious matters, Pastor Zakka Magaji and the Bauchi state Chapter Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Abraham Damina, commended Governor Bala Mohammed for carrying the christian Community in all policies and programmes of his administration.

They pledged continued support of the christians to the administration of the Governor towards delivering more democracy dividends to the people of Bauchi state.