Govt won’t sponsor Muslim, Christian pilgrims in 2016

The Bauchi State Government has said it will no longer sponsor Muslims or Christians for pilgrimage.

A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Bello Shehu Illelah, said the decision was taken as a result of economic challenges, explaining, “In view of the tight financial position of the state, the state government will not be in a position to sponsor people for this year’s hajj. It is hoped that the general public will appreciate the position the government found itself.”

The Executive Secretary of the State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Engineer Daniel Shawulu, made the same remark Tuesday when he received the North East APC Women Leader, Mrs Fatima Danjuma Maicibi, saying the shortfall of revenue necessitated governments to cut its spending.

Earlier, the North East APC Women leader urged him to justify the confidence reposed in him by the state government.