Gombe refunds 70 pilgrims N87,675 Covid-19 screening sum
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
Gombe State Government on Tuesday, announced it decision to refund 70 pilgrims N87,675 as the actual sum for COVID-19 screening.
Our correspondent gathered that the 70 persons were fully sponsored by government, with 2 others who are independently sponsored making a total of 72 pilgrims representing the state.
Speaking at the farewell event for the pilgrims, Executive Secretary of Gombe State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board Karu Ishaya, revealed that the governor ordered the refund following reports received from participants on the cost of screening.
The 2020 religious exercise is tagged pilgrimage for ‘peace and development’, geared towards bringing the desired healing and economic prosperity through prayers and supplications made in Kingdom of Jordan.
Ishaya said, “When they thought they were reporting me, they didn’t know they were helping me. Suddenly the governor called and asked about the Covid-19 screening. The total mone people were paying, which each individual is expected to pay is N87,675.
“Already, some of you have commenced payment with N55,000 but now the governor has graciously granted the permission to pay the N87,675. The Secretary to the State Government has directed that as soon as you leave this programme, you should come and collect the sum total of the money.”
He urged faithfuls to support the government in prayers, to sponsor 2021 exercise without delay.
On his part, Deputy Governor of the State, Dr. Manassah Jatau who represented the governor Muhammadu Yahaya, lamented the situation where individuals relied on government for pilgrimage.
He added that out of 100 slot given by the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission to Gombe State, only 2 pilgrims are on self sponsorship.
“After wide consultations, the state and local governments jointly sponsored seventy (70) pilgrims, leaving the remaining slots to individuals for self sponsorship despite the global economic challenge but only 2 are on self sponsorship.
“It is our expectation that in the subsequent years, individuals will sponsor themselves because of the importance and blessings attached to pilgrimage,” Jatau said.
Also speaking, Peter Uwumarogie, a beneficiary of government sponsorship, lauded the efforts of the government, adding that he was slightly disappointed the pilgrimage would only be restricted to Jordan due to the pandemic.
According to Uwumarogie, “Will I say I’m slightly disappointed, when you hear pilgrimage what comes to your mind is Israel but the circumstances surrounding the movement to Jordan is understood, knowing full well that in Jordan we can get some historic sites.
“I’m expecting an attitudinal change, going to Jordan without attitudinal change you have not done anything, because pilgrimage is not a political journey, not a fun seeking affair. I feel very happy because this is the first time I’m going out of the country.”
Also, Rev. Isa Zambukk, another pilgrim said “I’m very excited because I never specifically went to Jordan for pilgrimage, I was only privileged to be there but now I’m going to see an elaborate part of it. The sites are so many and can’t be explored in one thing.”
