Kaduna Restarts Christian Pilgrimage Program After 11-Year Hiatus

The Kaduna State Government has officially reinstated its Christian pilgrimage programme after an 11-year hiatus, with 50 pilgrims set to participate under state sponsorship.

The announcement was made during the 2025 orientation session for the pilgrims, a development widely welcomed by Christian communities in the state, who described the initiative as a demonstration of fairness, equity, and inclusive governance.

Speaking at the event, the Head of Service, Jimami Bako, praised Governor Uba Sani for reviving the programme, noting that it reflects leadership that values spiritual growth alongside physical and economic development. “This administration understands that governance goes beyond infrastructure. It also involves supporting the spiritual wellbeing of the people,” Bako said.

The Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, emphasized that the revival highlights the government’s commitment to justice, inclusiveness, and equity. He encouraged the pilgrims to use the opportunity to pray for peace, unity, and sustained prosperity in Kaduna State and across Nigeria, adding that the programme would strengthen trust between the government and citizens while promoting religious harmony.

For many beneficiaries, the return of the pilgrimage scheme represents renewed confidence in the government and is seen as a boost for peaceful coexistence among religious groups. The last state-sponsored Christian pilgrimage from Kaduna occurred in November 2014, when 567 pilgrims were airlifted to Israel. At that time, then-Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero urged participants to represent Nigeria responsibly while in the Holy Land.

According to Ireporter Online, the revival of the programme underscores the administration’s efforts to balance social, spiritual, and economic development, marking a new chapter in the state’s engagement with its diverse religious communities.