Bauchi To Sponsor 417 Christians To Israel For 2014 Pilgrimage

Bauchi State is sponsoring 417 Christians in the state to Israel for the 2014 pilgrimage, Rev. Shuibu Byel said on Friday.

The Chairman of the State Christians Pilgrims Welfare Board made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi.

“With 417 penciled for sponsorship this year, the total number of Christians sponsored by the state government would be 2,725 from 2007 to date,” said Byel.

According to him, the predominantly Muslim state which adopted Sharia law in 2001 is the only state that sponsored such large number of Christians to Israel.

He therefore commended Governor Isa Yuguda for his generosity and unbridled support for the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, urging the government to continue carrying everyone in the state along, regardless of religious, political or cultural differences.

Byel described Yuguda’s generosity as one transcending state lines, as he has been supporting pilgrims from other states.

September 29 has been fixed by the Board for the screening of prospective pilgrims in a bid to verify their credentials and confirm information supplied.