Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, the Niger State Governor has declared the State’s withdrawal of sponsorship for pilgrims with immediate effect.
The state Governor declared the state’s withdrawal from Hajj and Jerualem pilgrimage sponsorship in a statee=ment released by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace in Minna.
The Statement said: “In view of the present national economic challenges – a situation well known to all, sponsorship of pilgrims to holy land to perform pilgrimage has been put on hold with immediate effect.”
The Governor through the statement added: “Government is committed to supporting our people in fulfilling their religious obligations but the dwindling economic fortunes of the state, in the face of other equally people oriented demands, sponsorship of pilgrims to Hajj and Jerusalem is hereby suspended,”
The Governor however stated that continued support will be put in place for officials in order to facilitate a hitch-free pilgrimage.