By Mumini AbdulKareem
Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, yesterday, in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital revealed that he will be taken over the sponsorship of pilgrims going to Saudi Arabia and Jerusalem for religious activities.
The development is coming three years after the state government and its counterparts in other parts of the country reportedly shut down the full sponsorship of intending pilgrims over paucity of fund largely occasioned by the recent economic recession.
The governors had come under intense attack from pressure groups, unions and activists to stop funding of the exercise which was largely executed with state funds adding that such action would free up funds that could be deployed to defray salary backlogs and gratuities.
However, in his determination to ensure the people at the grassroots further enjoy dividends of democracy, Saraki has offered to single handedly bankroll the pilgrimage programme this time with the first batch of 100 beneficiaries to be selected for Umrah (lesser hajj) before the commencement of the forthcoming Ramadan.
Inaugurating the 10-man committee on Muslim and Christian pilgrimages in the state at his Iloffa GRA residence, headed by a former Grand Kadi of Kwara State Sharia Court, Justice Idris Haroon, the Senate President charged them to be fair, just and transparent in the discharge of their duties.
He noted that they were carefully selected based on their wealth of experience on similar assignments even as he urged the committee to select beneficiaries without considering political affiliations.
Among other duties, the committee will select and screen those to be sponsored for Hajj, Umrah and Jerusalem pilgrimages by Saraki.
The Vice Chairman of the committee is Prof. Lanre Badmas (Ilorin East) while Alhaji Nuru Abbass is the from Ilorin West is the Secretary.
Explaining the rationale behind his decision, the Senate President said he decided to take over the responsibility because the government could no longer do it due to economic challenge and “any good leader must at all times listen to the yearnings of his people.”
“We have our Muslim and Christian brothers desirous of observing the pilgrimages, but could not afford the cost. We will help such people with a forum through which they can realise their dreams. We may not be able to do like the government which used to sponsor about 400 when I was governor of Kwara State but we will start with 100. The coming Umrah (lesser Hajj) shall be the starting point.”
In his remarks, the Kwara State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Ishola Balogun- Fulani, said it is a privilege for the people to go for the pilgrimage, but due to lack of funds, majority of the people were unable to perform it.
Balogun-Fulani noted that since government could not continue to shoulder the responsibility, Saraki has offered to solely sponsor people. He however prayed to God to guide the Senate President to realise his desires.
Responding, Chairman of the committee, Justice Haroon thanked Allah for preserving Saraki’s life and for what he has been able to achieve, not only in the state but the entire country.
He praised the Senate President for his initiative, saying that “What you have initiated as a true Muslim, is the first of its kind in this state and Nigeria.”
He assured that the committee will work assiduously to meet the aspirations of the people.
“We will do our job with the fear of God and shall ensure that only pious people are selected for the exercise, I assure you that we will not disappoint you,” Haroon stated.
Other members of the committee include former secretary of the state’s chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Cornelius Fawenu (Ifelodun), Afusat Olanrewaju, (Moro), Sanusi Adeshina, Mrs Mary Afolayan (Oke-Ero), Alhaji Sulyman Yusuf Maja (Ilorin West), Alhaji Olagoke Rabiu (Offa) and Alhaji Baba Bello, who is the President of Lafiagi Descendants Progressive Union.
