From Tongnaan Bawa Jos
The Forum of Northern Christians from the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has commended Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, for restoring the Christian pilgrimage sponsorship programme in the state, 11 years after it was suspended under the administration of former governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The Forum, formerly known as the 19 Northern CAN and the FCT, described the governor’s decision as a proactive move aimed at promoting unity, fairness and inclusive governance in Kaduna State.
Chairman of the Forum, Rev. Dr. John Hayab, in an interview in Jos, applauded the governor’s action, calling it “a sincere demonstration of leadership and commitment to correcting past policy imbalances.”
According to Hayab, the reinstatement of the state-sponsored Christian pilgrimage programme signals a renewed commitment to fostering religious harmony and mutual respect among citizens.
“It takes courage and sincerity for a leader to review past decisions and make necessary adjustments in the interest of justice and unity,” he said.
He added, “Governor Uba Sani may not be perfect, but he has demonstrated leadership capacity and a willingness to promote inclusive governance in Kaduna State.
We commend his purposeful leadership and pray he continues in that spirit to succeed.”
Governor Sani recently approved the resumption of the Christian pilgrimage sponsorship programme after more than a decade of suspension.
Reports indicate that an orientation programme for intending pilgrims was held on February 17, 2026.
The pilgrimage sponsorship scheme had been suspended during the tenure of El-Rufai shortly after he assumed office as governor of Kaduna State.
Rev. Hayab further noted that the move reflects the current administration’s resolve to address policies perceived as divisive and to rebuild trust among the diverse religious communities in the state.
He urged other northern governors to emulate what he described as “a bold step toward fairness and equity,” stressing that balanced and inclusive leadership remains critical to peace, unity and sustainable development across the region.