Kaduna sends off first Christian pilgrims

The first Christian pilgrims from Kaduna State were airlifted from the airport in the state capital on Thursday, November 27.

The airlifting of the pilgrims which is the first ever since the airport was built, was overseen by the State Governor, Makhtar Yero, and top officials of the state government who came to bid the pilgrims farewell.

Speaking at the airport shortly before the pilgrims jetted off to Israel, the governor said his administration increased the number of Christian pilgrims sponsored by the state from 468 in 2013 to 567 in 2014. Yero also stated that his administration was committed to ensuring that all sections of the state, regardless of religions, were treated equally and fairly.

The Governor then appealed to the pilgrims to be of good behaviour and remain good ambassadors of the state and the country while in Israel.

"You must not indulge in any action capable of tarnishing the image of Kaduna State and Nigeria. I urge you to use the period of the holy pilgrimage to pray for peace in the country, especially as we approach the 2015 general elections,” the Governor said.