Chidimma Uchegbu- Abuja
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite, has emphasized the importance of prayer for Nigeria’s well-being, describing it as the sustaining grace that keeps the nation intact.
Bishop Adegbite made this assertion during the airlift of the 9th batch of intending Christian pilgrims to Israel and Jordan at the pilgrims’ wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
According to the press statement signed by the Deputy Director and Head, Media and Public Relations, Celestine Toruka stated that NCPC boss said that Nigeria is a religious nation, and as such, no amount of money invested in pilgrimage will be a waste because prayer is what is keeping the nation intact. He, therefore, urged the intending Christian pilgrims to always uphold Nigeria and President Bola Tinubu in prayer while in the holy land.
Bishop Adegbite praised President Tinubu’s magnanimity towards both Christians and Muslims, giving them the opportunity to fulfill their pilgrimage obligations in the holy land. He assured the pilgrims that they would go and come back from the pilgrimage journey spiritually transformed.
“You are going to be spiritually rejuvenated; nobody goes to the holy land and comes back without outstanding testimonies,” he emphasized.
The NCPC boss also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his support in ensuring that some disadvantaged Christian leaders, both in the north and south, were given the privilege to embark on pilgrimage without paying for it.
He urged the pilgrims to reciprocate this good gesture of Mr. President by being good ambassadors of Christ, Nigeria, and their various states.
Bishop Adegbite expressed optimism in President Tinubu’s ability to deliver Nigeria from its present economic quagmire, stating that by the time he is done with Nigeria, everyone will feel the impact of his renewed hope agenda.
The NCPC boss further expressed satisfaction with the progress of the 2024 main pilgrimage exercise and assured that all logistics have been put in place to ensure that the pilgrims will experience a hitch-free pilgrimage exercise.
The night batch of intending Christian pilgrims were mainly from Nasarawa State, and also included consular officers dominated by Christian leaders across Nigeria, as well as some top government officials.
