Kaduna Govt Resumes Christian Pilgrimage Scheme After 11-Year Suspension 

The Kaduna State Government on Wednesday said it had resumed its Christian pilgrimage programme after an 11-year suspension, with 50 intending pilgrims set to embark on the journey under government sponsorship.

The resumption was announced during the 2025 orientation programme.

The state’s Head of Service, Jummai Bako, praised Governor Uba Sani for restoring the initiative.

According to him, the decision reflects leadership that values spiritual growth alongside physical and economic development.

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The Kaduna State Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, said the programme underscored the government’s commitment to justice and inclusiveness.

Maiyaki urged the pilgrims to pray for peace, unity, and sustained prosperity in Kaduna and across Nigeria.

The last Christian pilgrimage from Kaduna took place in November 2014, when 567 pilgrims were airlifted from the state airport to Israel.

The latest decision has been welcomed by the Christian community.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has commended the governor for what it described as a renewed commitment to Christian pilgrimage in Kaduna State.

In a press statement signed by its state chairman, Reverend Maaji Caleb, the association said the state government’s support for the 2025 Christian pilgrimage reflects inclusivity and a deliberate effort to promote unity and spiritual balance.

According to CAN, the development marks a significant shift toward restoring confidence among Christian communities and strengthening interfaith harmony across the state.

The association noted that pilgrimage goes beyond travel, describing it as a platform for spiritual renewal, prayers for peace and prosperity, and the promotion of moral values and social cohesion.

CAN said the current administration’s approach signals healing, reconciliation, and restoration, adding that renewed attention to pilgrimage activities would help rebuild trust among the diverse religious communities in the state.

The association called for the full restoration and strengthening of the Kaduna State Christian Welfare Pilgrims Board to ensure transparency, institutional stability, and continuity in the management of pilgrimage affairs.

It further urged the state government to sustain the momentum by institutionalising policies that promote fairness, equity, and religious harmony across all sectors.