Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa state has approved President Goodluck Jonathan’s request to sponsor 350 Christians from the state for the 2013 pilgrimage exercise to Israel.
Governor Al-Makura gave the approval in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital when he received a delegation from the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission led by the Executive Secretary, Mr. John Okpara.
Governor Al-Makura says his administration will not only increase the number of Christians to the holy pilgrimage, but will ensure a robust religious exercise for pilgrims from the state.
Aside from the approval of three hundred and fifty pilgrims for this year’s exercise, the state government also approved new vehicles for the state pilgrim welfare board and promised to construct a permanent office for the board.
At a separate meeting with some Islamic scholars, Governor Al-Makura urged Muslims to imbibe the culture of unity, holiness and sacrifice, which is the essence of the just concluded Ramadan.
The Islamic scholars spoke on the need for Muslims to be Godly as a lesson learnt from the month of Ramadan.
