From: MOHAMMED KAWU, Bauchi
Christians faithful performing this year’s holy pil
grimage from Bauchi State have been reminded that
the religious exercise does not only allow for a renewal of their faith in God but also portrays their fervent search for a divine guidance in both conduct and interaction in the society.
The Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Sagir Aminu Saleh, yesterday at a farewell ceremony for the 426 pilgrims from the state to Jerusalem at the Government House, Bauchi.
The deputy governor commended Christians and the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state for propagating the gospel of peace, tolerance, love and understanding, stressing that both Christianity and Islam have consistently been preaching love and peaceful co-existence.
“We thank the Almighty God that the relationship between the various religious groups in the state has been peaceful and in the true reflection of brotherhood”, Saleh said.
Saleh therefore commended all Christians in the state, particularly the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for propagating the gospel of peace, tolerance, love and understanding.
The deputy governor revealed that of the 426 pilgrims from the state performing the holy pilgrimage to Jerusalem this year, the state government was sponsoring 418, saying that this was a reflection of the state government’s commitment to supporting religious bodies in the state.
He assured that adequate arrangements had been made for accommodation, transportation and feeding of the state’s pilgrims in Jerusalem, as qualified medical personnel have also been assigned to look after their medical requirements.
Alhaji Aminu Saleh then called on the intending pilgrims to maintain the state’s record of no having any pilgrim defect as in the previous exercises, saying that they should be good ambassadors of the state and the country at large.
He also enjoined them to pray for the state and the country during the exercise, noting that, “this has become imperative in view of the need for peace, social harmony, political stability and economic prosperity of the state in particular and the country at large.”
