Jonathan Wants Northern Governors To Sponsor Christian Pilgrims

 

President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed displeasure over reports that the northern state governors did not sponsor Christian pilgrims during the 2014 pilgrimage to Israel.

The president’s reaction came after Pastor Ayo Oritsejafo who is the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, informed the President that all Christian pilgrims from all the states in the North were sponsored by individuals or were self-sponsored.

According to Punch, President Jonathan promised to encourage the affected state governments on the need to change their stand.
He however, said economic pressure might have forced the affected state governments to withdraw from sponsoring pilgrims.
He said:  “The only thing I noticed is that various state governments are trying to withdraw from sponsorship of pilgrimage; maybe because of the economic pressure on them. But we will encourage them to do so.
“Luckily, private institutions have shown interest and I believe that religious bodies, individuals and private institutions will gradually begin to key into the pilgrimage operations.”
Many Nigerians have frowned over the close ties between the presidency and some religious leaders. Yesterday, the Northern State Christian Elders Forum (NOS­CEF) appealed to the Rivers State Gov­ernor, Rotimi Amaechi, to name the church leaders who allegedly collected N6 billion from the Peoples Democratic Party in order to garner support for President Jonathan.