Niger govt bans sponsorship of pilgrims to Mecca
By Wole Mosadomi Minna—Niger State Government, yesterday, placed embargo on the sponsorship of pilgrims to Mecca, even as it advised intending pilgrims against stealing or borrowing money for the exercise. Similarly, the government directed the state pilgrim Board to allocate 90 per cent of the available seats for freshers. Speaking at the flag off of sale of grains to members of the public in Minna ahead of the Ramadan fasting governor Babangida Aliyu, said the step became necessary because of the number of seats allocated to the state for this year hajj. He insisted that holy pilgrimage to Mecca should not be seen as a jamboree but as a religious obligation, saying “Already the Customs and Immigrations have been directed to screen the passports of all intending pilgrimage to screen out those who have performed the journey in the past and allow the first timers to go and where necessary introduce balloting for all intending pilgrim to give room for fairness and equity.” He warned loca...