Oyo suspends sponsorship of pilgrims

•Ajimobi

Oyo state Governor Senator Abiola Ajimobi has reiterated the determination of his administration to suspend the sponsorship of pilgrims to the holy land until the economy of the state improves.

Governor Ajimobi stated this while receiving the Executive Secretary and other officials of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission at the Governor’s office, Agodi, Ibadan.

Governor Ajimobi explained that individuals who are interested in holy

pilgrimage should endeavor to sponsor themselves since the purpose is for spiritual rejuvenation and not a compulsion.

He recalled that the Government maintained the same stand during the 2015 hajj exercise by sending only the medical staff to monitor the health of the pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

He said the present state of economy in Oyo state called for a cut down in the financial spending’s of the state.

Earlier in his remark the executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission Mr. John Kennedy said the purpose of the visit was to sensitize the Government and well to do members of the society on the need to support their brethren and finance their pilgrimage to holy land.

He said the Christian Pilgrim Commission had also introduced youth Pilgrimage and skills acquisition in Jerusalem which according to him would enable the youths to acquire some vocational trainings in the Holy land of Israel.

He explained that the Commission is also working in conjunction with the National Lottery Commission to ensure that all intending pilgrims obtained a lottery ticket with a view to sponsoring the lucky winner to the holy land with the proceed of the lottery.