Uba Sani Revives Christian Pilgrimage after 11-year halt, restoring Kaduna’s state-sponsored scheme and pledging fairness and inclusion

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State on Tuesday formally reinstated the state-sponsored Christian pilgrimage programme in Kaduna, ending an 11-year suspension and marking a decisive policy shift in the administration’s approach to religious inclusion.

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Governor Uba Sani announced the restoration during the 2025 orientation programme for 50 intending Christian pilgrims sponsored by the Kaduna State Government.

The event signalled the first state-backed Christian pilgrimage in more than a decade following the scheme’s discontinuation by previous administrations.

The move, framed as a step towards fairness and unity, has been widely interpreted as both symbolic and strategic as the state navigates complex interfaith dynamics.

Mrs Jimami C. Bako, Head of Service, commended the governor for reviving the initiative. Mrs Bako said the administration recognises spiritual development and moral values as essential complements to infrastructure expansion and economic growth.

Mrs Bako described the reinstatement as leadership that places faith at the centre of peace and social harmony, adding that governance must reflect both material and moral progress.

Ahmed Maiyaki, Commissioner for Information, said the decision aligns with the government’s pledge of justice, equity and inclusiveness for all residents, regardless of religious affiliation.

Ahmed Maiyaki urged the intending pilgrims to use the opportunity to pray for enduring peace, unity and prosperity for Kaduna State and Nigeria.

The revival comes at a time when debates over public funding of religious activities remain sensitive across parts of the country.

However, the Kaduna State Government has maintained that the reinstatement reflects a broader commitment to balanced representation rather than preferential treatment.

While the immediate beneficiaries are the 50 selected pilgrims, political observers note that the reinstatement carries wider resonance, reinforcing the administration’s message of cohesion ahead of future electoral cycles.

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By restoring the scheme, Governor Uba Sani has delivered a bold and consequential gesture aimed at strengthening trust across religious communities while reshaping a programme that had lain dormant for over a decade.