In a bid to forestall a situation whereby only rich Nigerians could
afford to travel on holy pilgrimage to Israel, the Nigeria Christians’
Pilgrimage Commission has resorted to raffle draws to help poor
Nigerians.
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 because of
the way some states have backed out of sponsorship of holy pilgrimage
due to financial crisis rocking the nation.
Arise said 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.
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.
