The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has expressed worry over the state Christian planning for the holy pilgrimage to Israel due to war ongoing in the country. Israel and its neighbours has been a war torn zone in the last one year following the October 7th attack launched by Hamas from the Gaza strip which has lead to war without end, recording thousands of casualties.
The Governor was making the appeal to Christian faithful yesterday in the state during Christmas Carol organised by the state government where he called them to exercise patience over this year’s pilgrimage to Israel over what he termed “the lack of peace in the Holy Land”.
The Christmas Carol which is part of activities to celebrate the 2024 Christmas was organised in conjunction with the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN at the Justice Legbo Kutigi International Conference Hall in Minna,
Bago said, “I appeal to the Christian faithful in the state to exercise patience over this year’s pilgrimage to Israel over the lack of peace in the Holy Land. Allowing pilgrims to travel there would be equivalent to signing their death warrants”.
The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Afiniki Dauda, noted that the current challenges in the Middle East, particularly in Israel, posed a serious threat of concern to the safety of pilgrims.
He warned that that he would not in his good conscience, authorise a trip that would put the lives of Christian pilgrims at risk, the governor said; “I am not willing to give tickets that would lead to the death of our Christian brothers and sisters.
He added, “I urge them to be patient and wait until peace returns to the Middle East. The safety of our citizens is paramount, and we will not compromise on that.”
In his remarks, the chairman of CAN state chapter, Rev Bulus Yohanna, called on the governor to consider Christians in the state for holy pilgrimage.
The clegy man said said, “I want to take this opportunity to appeal to Your Excellency to consider pilgrimage to Jordan/Israel, Turkey/Jordan, and Rome or Greece, as there is an opportunity at the federal level for intending pilgrims.”
The CAN chairman urged Christians in the state to continue to pray for the governor while appealing to them to show love and share with others.