Lagos State Ends Sponsorship Of Pilgrims

SAN FRANCISCO, March 10, (THEWILL) – Lagos State Government has said it will no longer sponsor pilgrims to Jerusalem and Mecca.

This step was taken to ensure prudency in this harsh economic situation being faced in the country, Abdulateef Abdulhakeem, State Commissioner for Home Affairs, disclosed.

He made this declaration when members of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Home Affairs, led by Olayiwola Olawale visited him in his office.

He said, “Part of our mandate is the supervision of the Pilgrims Welfare Board. Recently, the governor and the state executive council approved a policy for the state to stop sponsorship of pilgrimages and that is in line with the policy thrust of the government.

“In these days and times when we are talking about paucity of funds coupled with inhibiting challenges that the government has to take care of. We can no longer afford to spend the sum of one million on one single individual to go on pilgrimage when the scripture did not compel anyone to do so,” he said.

Olawale on his part backed the decision saying, “We are happy with the steps taken by the ministry to ensure religious harmony in the state. We will also support this with the necessary laws.”

Story by David Oputah