Niger State Governor, Umar Mohammed Bago, has urged Christian pilgrims in the state to delay their pilgrimage to Israel due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
Speaking during the 2024 State Christmas Carol in Minna, Governor Bago, represented by Deputy Speaker Afiniki Dauda, stressed the risks posed by the unrest in Israel and neighboring regions.
“I am not willing to issue tickets that could lead to the death of our Christian brothers and sisters,” the governor stated, emphasizing the government’s prioritization of citizens’ safety over religious obligations.
While acknowledging the pilgrimage’s spiritual significance, the governor appealed for patience until peace is restored in the region.
The event, organized in collaboration with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), also saw the CAN chairman, Rev. Bulus Yohanna, advocating for alternative pilgrimage destinations such as Jordan, Turkey, Rome, and Greece.