Lagos Not Sponsoring Pilgrims - Govt.

LAGOS, NIGERIA – Lagos state commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. Abdul-Hakeen Abdul-Lateef has stated that the state government does not sponsor pilgrims; it only ensures their safety during their religious trips.

His words: “the government’s role remains coordinating the activities of pilgrims, ensuring a hitch free exercise and ensuring that the rights of the travellers are not trampled upon while in the holy land.

“The government’s participation in pilgrimage does not mean that the government is the one sponsoring the pilgrims but rather, government serves as a coordinating body for the exercise especially in ensuring the overall safety of the pilgrims.”

He disclosed that when dealing with pilgrims, Israel does not consider them to be individuals, but representatives of their countries, a situation that begs the coordination of pilgrimage activities by the government.