Bauchi State governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad has announced the sponsorship of 356 Christians from the state for the 2025 pilgrimage to Israel, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to religious inclusivity and citizen welfare.
While biding the intending pilgrims farewell at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, the State Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, reaffirmed commitment to unity and religious harmony in the State.
Represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Muhammad Auwal Jatau, reminded the intending pilgrims of the essence of the religious exercise advising them to focus on the reason for the exercise.
The farewell marked another significant moment in the state government’s continuous support for faith-based activities and spiritual development across all religious communities in the state.
He urged them to be worthy ambassadors of Bauchi State and Nigeria by conducting themselves with discipline, humility, unity, and respect, noting that their behavior would reflect the values and image of the state on the international stage.
The Governor reaffirmed the administration’s unwavering commitment to religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and inclusiveness, stressing that Bauchi State remains a home for people of all faiths living together in mutual respect.
He encouraged the pilgrims to remember the state and the nation in their prayers, particularly for peace, progress, and sustained good governance.
He further commended the Bauchi State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board and all relevant stakeholders for the smooth planning and coordination of the pilgrimage exercise.
The Governor assured the pilgrims of the state government’s continued support before, during, and after the pilgrimage, describing the farewell ceremony as a clear demonstration of the administration’s dedication to unity, harmony, and shared values among the diverse people of Bauchi State.
The Governor noted that, as a spiritual exercise, pilgrimage affords pilgrims the opportunity to pray for forgiveness stressing that the State Government is very much concerned about the welfare of its citizens within and outside the country and has therefore made adequate provision for the security, transportation, feeding, accommodation, and medical services for the intending pilgrims while in the Holy Land.
The Governor enjoined them to observe tenets of the exercise for a seamless and rewarding pilgrimage just as he called on appointed officials to ensure that they perform their duties as expected of them and give maximum attention to the welfare and safety of the pilgrims entrusted to them as government would not take it kindly with any official found wanting.
According to him, “The spiritual content of the pilgrimage is not to be diluted with worldly pleasure and over indulgences by pilgrims. The pilgrimage is a journey to commune with God and to see Biblical relics which will help pilgrims affirm their faith and belief that the Biblical stories are real, at the end of which pilgrims would be spiritually rejuvenated.”
Muhammad added that, “While congratulating you all for having yourselves among the citizens that have the opportunity to visit the Holy Land, I urge you to respect the laws of your host countries and avoid unpleasant scenario that could undermine the integrity of our dear State and the Country at large. You should be good ambassadors of the State and the country at large by exhibiting high moral standard in your conducts and relationship with one another.”
Speaking on conflict between Israel and Palestine in the Middle East, the Governor cautioned Bauchi intending pilgrims to distance themselves from the conflict zone while performing the pilgrimage.
In their separate remarks, the Executive Secretary of the State Christians Welfare Board and the State CAN chairman applauded Governor Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad for his administration’s huge investment in the sponsorship of Christians to holy land.
They encouraged beneficiaries to reciprocate by praying for the Governor, his administration, Bauchi State, and Nigeria at large.
The sponsorship underscores Bauchi State’s effort to promote religious harmony, inclusivity, and citizen welfare, positioning faith as a vital pillar of governance
