The Lagos State Government has said it does not sponsor
pilgrims but only ensures their safety while on the spiritual
exercise.
The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. Abdul-Hakeem
Abdul-Lateef, said the state government also coordinated
the activities of the pilgrims to keep them from trouble.
He spoke during an orientation seminar and rededication
service held for intending pilgrims at the Chapel of Christ
the Light, a statement said on Thursday.
He said the state had concluded plans to commence the
movement of the first batch of the 2015 intending Christian
pilgrims to Jerusalem and Rome on Friday.
He said, “The government’s role remains coordinating the
activities of pilgrims, ensuring a hitch free exercise and
ensuring that the rights of the travellers are not trampled
upon while in the holy land.
“The government’s participation in pilgrimage does not
mean that the government is the one sponsoring the
pilgrims but rather, government serves as a coordinating
body for the exercise especially in ensuring the overall
safety of the pilgrims.”
Abdul-Lateef added that the government of Israel which
hosts pilgrims from across the world every year does not
relate with any pilgrim as an individual but as a country,
hence the need for the pilgrims to be better organised by the
government.
He also used the occasion to allay fears of unrest in Israel,
adding that Lagos State would not embark on a journey to a
place where the lives of Lagosians would be endangered.
The commissioner said that the present administration in
the state expected that every religious organisation would
be spiritually rejuvenated and act as development partners
with the government.
Exhorting the intending pilgrims, Rt. Rev. Dr. A. Adetubo
emphasised the importance of prayers as the fundamental
reason for the holy journey.
He solicited maximum obedience and cooperation from the
intending pilgrims with all officials of government who had
over the years gathered experiences on the exercise.


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Good decision because who are those peoples they are sponsor before

I support this move. Why would you expect the government to sponsor your vacation. If you wan go greet God or Allah spend ur money.