The chairman, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Yomi Kasali, has said states should be encouraged to sponsor pilgrimage.
He said this recently in Bethlehem during the on-going Christian pilgrimage in Israel and Jordan, adding that “though some may argue that states should not be involved in pilgrimage sponsorship, the amount of resources being deployed in pilgrimage is insignificant considering the spiritual importance of pilgrimage in national development.”
Rev Kasali, according to a press statement issued by thecommission’s head of media and public relations, Celestine Toruka, noted that pilgrimage “provides an opportunity for the less privileged Nigerians to enjoy the dividends of democracy, especially those who treasure their faith.”
According to him, the on-going pilgrimage in Israel and Jordan “is wonderful, great and quite refreshing.”
He advised pilgrims to use the pilgrimage exercise to reflect on national issues, urging them to ensure that they “make Nigeria proud instead of using pilgrimage as an outlet to abscond.”
The statement indicated that the chairman is the leader of the 8th batch of the pilgrims currently in Israel and Jordan, made up of Yobe and Borno state pilgrims, including those who are on consular assignments.
