Lalong flags off 2017 Christian pilgrimage in Gombe

By Adoyi M. Aba

Abuja

Governor of Plateau state, Samuel Lalong, has flagged off this year’s Christian pilgrimage to Israel in Gombe.
Lalong, who was the Special Guest of honour at the event, advised the intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of Christ and Nigeria while in the Holy Land.
He urged them to also pray for the peace and progress of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari and the governors.
This was contained in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) media unit.
It stated that the governor said pilgrimage should impact positively on the lives of the pilgrims, “but once that purpose is defeated it becomes a big minus for the whole essence of the exercise.”
In his remarks, the Governor of Gombe state, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwanbo, who was represented by his deputy, Hon. Charles Illiya, noted that “pilgrimage is a spiritual journey to a holy place.”
“Christian pilgrimage affords us the opportunity to visit holy sites and pray for Nigeria,” he said.
The governor urged the intending pilgrims to be of good behaviour while in the Holy Land.
He disclosed that 253 intending pilgrims were being sponsored by the state government out of which 24 were self-sponsored.
He commended the efforts of stakeholders in the pilgrimage sub-sector, saying: “I commend the management and staff of the Gombe state Christian pilgrim Welfare Board for their tireless efforts towards successful conduct of this year’s pilgrimage.”
He urged them to maintain the existing cordial relationship between Gombe CPWB, the Nigeria Christian pilgrim Commission, ground handlers and air carriers.”
Earlier, in his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the NCPC, Rev. Uja Tor Uja, commended the governors “who have chosen to invest in Christian Pilgrimage.”
Uja said pilgrimage “is not about sightseeing, rather it is bigger than that. Pilgrimage is about having spiritual encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“Pilgrimage affords pilgrims the opportunity to see various developments in Israel and see how much the Israeli government has developed their infrastructure,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria has the capacity to become the world’s largest exporter of agricultural products.
He enjoined the intending pilgrims to ensure they participate in all the spiritual activities put in place by the Commission in the Holy Land, adding that “they are going to have an encounter in the Holy Land.”
A total of 282 pilgrims were airlifted to Israel from Gombe which comprised 75 intending pilgrims from Bauchi and 217 from Gombe.

 

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