BAUCHI – Gov. Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State, on Friday said that dwindling revenue allocation from the Federation Account may affect the 2014 Christian pilgrimage in the state.
Yuguda stated this when Commissioners of the National Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) and the Executive Secretary of the commission, Mr John-Kennedy Okpara, visited him at the Government House, Bauchi.
He said, “because of the squeeze on the state’s liquidity, this year’s pilgrimage will not be as rosy as those of previous years.
“As such, with the little effort the government will make, priority will be given to first-timers.’’
He, however, promised that in spite of the poor finances of the state, the government would do its best to sponsor as many pilgrims to the holy land as available resources would allow.
Yuguda commended the executive secretary of the commission “for effectively driving the commission to greater heights”, and acknowledged that the commission had continued to pray for peace in the country.
He assured the NCPC officials that all intending pilgrims for the 2014 exercise would be airlifted from the newly-constructed Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport, Bauchi.
Earlier, Okpara, who led the delegation, said that they were in the state to sensitise the people on the 2014 pilgrimage.
He disclosed that President Goodluck Jonathan had approved 600 slots for Bauchi State, adding that each intending pilgrim would pay N367, 000.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
He explained that the amount included air fare, accommodation and feeding, adding that pilgrims who would go through Rome would pay N404, 000.
“President Goodluck Jonathan had also graciously approved the concessionary exchange rate of one dollar to N150 for both Christians and Muslims for this year’s pilgrimages,” he added.
Okpara appealed to wealthy Nigerians willing to go on the holy pilgrimage to sponsor themselves and also support those who could not afford to sponsor themselves.
“As part of measures to improve peace in the country, the National Christian Pilgrims Commission is using pilgrimage as a tool for moral and spiritual transformation.
“It is our belief that if Christians are opportune to go to the Holy Land and they become morally and spiritually transformed, they will help the government to preach peace,’’ he said. (NAN)