Chidimma UCHEGBU
Governor Hopr Uzodinma of Imo State has received the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) award of the Best Christian Pilgrimage Governor of year 2023 from the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Bishop Stephen Adegbite.
The award was conferred on Governor Uzodinma, Monday, at Government House , Owerri.
He explained that by virtue of being the first Christian Pilgrimage Governor for the year 2023, he has become the first Christian Pilgrimage Ambassador in Nigeria.
“In Christian Pilgrimage, what you did last year amazed all of us, you sponsored 1000 pilgrims to the Holy land “.
The Executive Secretary stressed that the Governor’s gesture of sponsoring a large number of christians to the holy land was unprecedented not only in Imo state but in the whole of Nigeria.
“We are here to really appreciate what you have done. We must encourage you to do more for the people. We must appreciate what you have done, and this will encourage other governors to do likewise.” Adegbite said.
The NCPC helmsman thanked the Governor for his support for the State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board and the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN Imo state chapter.
He hinted that the Commission plans to organize an executive Pilgrimage exercise to Israel in the nearest future and he requested the Governor and the First Lady of the state to participate in the Executive Pilgrimage exercise.
He further revealed that the airlift of christian pilgrims to the holy land would commence next month.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Uzodinma described the NCPC boss as a committed Christian, and a man whose whose name rings bell in Nigeria and described his appointment as a well deserved one.
“This is one appointment that has been commended nationally as a round peg in a round hole,” he said.
Uzodimma thanked the Commission for deeming it fit to give him an award which he said would be dedicated to the Almighty God.
He maintained that the Commission and the state are partners in progress recalling that before the pilgrims embarked on the 2023 exercise, the state was faced with serious challenges which compelled the state to send a strong delegation to the holy land to pray.
“When they came back, God answered their prayers.
He emphasized that as christians and as a way of life, ” we must continue to go to the holy land, stating that Israel is a land of promise by the Lord, and no evil will meet us there.
“We did it before and we will do it again”, he said.
He advised the officials of the State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board to ensure that those who did not have the privilege of participating in the last Pilgrimage exercise should be given the opportunity to benefit in this year’s Pilgrimage exercise.
“We will be able to send as much number as possible to cover other people,” he said.
Uzodimma also promised to coordinate other Christian governors to encourage them to sponsor christians to the holy land.
He expressed optimism that under the current leadership in NCPC, Christian Pilgrimage in Nigeria would experience massive turn around because the Executive Secretary has the capacity and rich wealth of experience to move NCPC to higher heights.
