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Governor of Niger State, Umar Bago
The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has advised the state Christian pilgrims not to go for the holy pilgrimage in Israel due to the conflict in the Middle East.
The Middle East region has been a theatre of warfare between Israel and some Arab countries which has resulted in casualties in the region
Bago made this known on Sunday at the 2024 state Christmas Carol organised by the state government where he appealed to the Christian faithful 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 at the Justice Legbo Kutigi International Conference Hall in Minna,
“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,” Bago said.
The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Afiniki Dauda, averred that the current challenges in the Middle East, particularly in Israel, posed a significant threat to the safety of pilgrims.
Stressing that he would not in 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.
“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 the state chapter of CAN, Rev Bulus Yohanna, called on the governor to consider Christians in the state for holy pilgrimage.
He 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.
