GOVERNOR Simon Lalong of Plateau State has disclosed that the State Government is sponsoring a total of 616 intending pilgrims to this year pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
It would be recalled on assumption of office in 2015, Governor Simon Lalong suspended sponsorship of pilgrims to both Jerusalem and Saudi Arabia on account of dwindling economic fortune.
The Governor who disclosed this on Thursday at the farewell ceremony for intending pilgrims from Plateau State for 2017 pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia said 387 deferrers who could not make it to the holy land during the last administration are included in the 616 that would perform the hajj this year.
“This has increase the cost of sponsorship and limited the number of those who by official recognition of their spiritual responsibilities would have been sponsored by Government. This is a sacrifice that we all must share in our bid to ensure that those who were denied the opportunity are able to perform the pilgrimage as one of the religious pillar of Islam ”
The governor who was represented by his deputy, Professor Sonny Tyoden said the temporary suspension of sponsorship was only an adjustment to the current realities and does not in any way reflect the government lack of appreciation, of relevance of Holy Pilgrimages to the citizens of the state.
He pointed out that the government is committed to carry out renovation on the already acquired property with a wide expanse of land in Rikkos New layout, to serve as the Moslem pilgrims welfare board permanent office as well as a transit camp for intending Muslim pilgrims.
The Governor charged the pilgrims to see themselves as ambassadors of Plateau State whose spiritual depth of conviction must be reflected in the pious conduct of the exercise.
In his address, Executive Secretary, Plateau State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mallam Ayuba Salihu Kwande advised the intending pilgrims not to take any hard substances or intoxicants including cola nuts to the holy land and implored them to be good ambassadors of Plateau State and Nigeria.
Mallam Kwande said apart from sponsorship of pilgrims to perform this year hajj has approved huge sum of money to clear the 387 who deposited their money to perform the 2014 pilgrimage that were unable to perform hajj then.
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