From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has airlifted the 13th and final batch of intending Christian pilgrims to Israel and Jordan, marking the end of the 2024 Main Pilgrimage exercise that commenced on 22nd December 2024.
At a brief departure ceremony at the Pilgrims Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the Executive Secretary of NCPC, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, told the pilgrims that prayer is the real essence of pilgrimage.
Bishop Adegbite, who was represented by the Director of Administration of NCPC, Sonny Ebiyaibo, urged the intending Christian pilgrims to pray fervently at the various holy sites, stating that prayer is key to a successful pilgrimage exercise.
He reiterated that the spiritual content of pilgrimage must be maintained at all times, emphasising that pilgrimage is not for leisure.
He enjoined them to pray for those in authority in Nigeria, and for the well-being of the country and its citizens, reminding them to see themselves as true representatives of Nigeria in the Holy Land, irrespective of their state of origin. “You are all Ambassadors of Nigeria in the holy land,” he said.
In his remarks, the Board member representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Board of NCPC, Amb. Martin Adamu, emphasised that the intending Christian pilgrims should use the pilgrimage to renew their faith in God and return spiritually fulfilled.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Police Affairs, Dr. Anuma Nlia, who was also an intending pilgrim, commended President Bola Tinubu for his overwhelming support for the NCPC, which has enabled the Commission to successfully airlift pilgrims from the first to the last batch, and also praised Bishop Adegbite for his effective and visionary leadership.
Over 350 intending Christian pilgrims made up the last batch and are expected to return to Nigeria on 30th March 2025. Among the intending Christian pilgrims is the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom.