Christian Pilgrim Board lunches special arrangement for poor Nigerians
The Nigeria Christians’ Pilgrimage Commission has started raffle draw to help poor intending Pilgrims in Nigerian.
This new arrangement was put in place to forestall a situation whereby only rich Nigerians that could afford the travelling tickets to the holy land are the only opportune Nigerians that will be going.
Briefing newsmen in Ado Ekiti on Friday on the raffle draw, the Southwest coordinator of programme tagged: ‘Win a Trip to Israel’ , Senator Ayo Arise , said the recent steps became imperative following the ways some states have backed out of sponsorship of holy pilgrimage due to financial crisis rocking the nation.
Arise disclosed that the ticket for the raffle draw, which commences on April 18 in Ado Ekiti, will cost a sum of N500 and will be available in all the branches of United Bank for Africa across the zone, added that the raffle, will take place at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado Ekiti of Ekiti state capital and will be drawn twice a month.
The former Senator added that the programme will be prosecuted by Fortune Games Limited under the supervision of the Christians’ Association of Nigeria and Nigerian Lottery Commission.
Arise, the Chief Executive Officer of Quick Win Lotto posited that winners from all the states of the federation will be sponsored by the commission after emerging from a transparent contest.
“With the way some states are backing out of sponsorship of holy pilgrimage, the commission foresee that only the rich Nigerians could afford sponsorship and this may not serve the interest the programme was designed to meet.
“The money gathered from the sales of the lottery ticket will be used to sponsor the winners to Israel. The Muslims’ Pilgrimage Commission is also working on similar programme.
“What makes this raffle draw very unique is that the Muslims will be allowed to play and if any of them wins they will be sponsored to Israel. This will help in promoting peaceful co-existence among religious groups in our country”, he added.
