The President of the Federation Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has flagged off the 2024 Main Christian Pilgrimage exercise to Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on 22nd December, 2024 at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Mr. President emphasized on the powers of prayers and the sanctity of religion. He urged the intending Christian Pilgrims to see their Pilgrimage journey as a chance to deepen their faith in God.
He explained that pilgrimage is a spiritual journey of faith and should be treated with all seriousness.
President Bola Tinubu commended the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC under the able leadership of Bishop Stephen Adegbite for his bold initiatives. He reiterated that the theme of the 2024 NCPC Main pilgrimage exercise which is “Pilgrimage of Renewed Hope for Total Restoration” is apt as it is in line with the vision and agenda of his administration.
He urged the intending pilgrims to pray for the progress of Nigeria, Lagos state, and their families.
Mr. President also admonished them not to abscond in the holy land, stating that Nigeria is their fatherland and there is no place like home.
In his address, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, said he was particularly delighted that this is his major maiden Pilgrimage exercise under his leadership as the 4th substantive Executive Secretary of NCPC.
He revealed that there has been challenges since he assumed office on 5th February, 2024, but despite that, “we have remained focused on our mandate to ensure smooth conduct of our pilgrimage to the holy sites around the world in line with the NCPC 2007 enabling Act of the National Assembly”.
The NCPC boss expressed optimism that at the end of this year’s Main pilgrimage exercise, “there will be restoration at all levels, the Lord will certainly restore everything we have lost as a people”.
He admonished the intending pilgrims to be exemplary in their conduct. His words, “you must not be found wanting while on pilgrimage”.
He affirmed that Pilgrimage is not a respecter of titles, ranks or status, but a leveler. He added that pilgrimage is a time to exhibit humility, piousness and decorum.
He assured the intending pilgrims of excellent services by the Commission’s service providers both in Israel and Jordan.
He warned against absconders as the Commission strongly frowns at it. According to him, “the Commission under my watch seriously frowns at it and whoever is found culpable will face the wrath of the law, including their guarantors whose names and that of the absconders will be blacklisted and published in the national newspapers”.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for providing the enabling environment for Pilgrimage to thrive in Nigeria. He thanked him for the support for the Commission which is unprecedented.
The first batch of Christian pilgrims from Lagos state for the NCPC 2024 Main pilgrimage exercise were made up of about 260 intending pilgrims, but the total number of officials and pilgrims on the flight were about 350.
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