The Federal Government has restated its commitment to encouraging state governments and the private sector to increase the sponsorship of Nigerians who want to perform the holy pilgrimage to Israel, Rome and Greece.
President Jonathan made the declaration while receiving the 2014 pilgrims report from the Federal Government delegation led by the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oristejafor.
The President commended the pilgrims boards and the Federal Government delegation for a job well done and pledged to continue to improve on the success story.
Before submitting the report, the Chairman of the delegation, Pastor Ayo Oristejafor, told the President to, among other recommendations, adequately fund the embassies in Rome, Greece and TelAviv in order for the missions to serve their roles as pilgrims posts.
He asked the government at the federal, states and local levels to sponsor pilgrims to the holy land especially as it serves as a tool for moral and spiritual transformation.
Over 12,000 pilgrims were said to have performed the 2014 pilgrimage with a 45% increase in self sponsorship.
President Jonathan announced the dissolution of the 10-man Federal Government delegation whose function has been to observe the pilgrims and report back to government.
He said a new membership of the Federal Government delegation would be constituted in the near future.
