Chidimma Uchegbu – Abuja
The Executive Secretary of Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite has said the commission achieved its zero-tolerance policy on abscondment during recent pilgrimage exercises.
He made this disclosure during the airlift of the third batch of Christian pilgrims at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Bishop Adegbite expressed satisfaction that the first two batches of pilgrims returned safely from the holy land without any incidents of abscondment.
“Pilgrimage is purely a spiritual exercise and not a jamboree or tourism,” Bishop Adegbite emphasized. “I urge the intending pilgrims to pray for Nigeria, their states, and the government while in the holy land.”
The Chairman of the NCPC Board, Rt. Rev. Prof. Msgnr Cletus Gotan, also spoke at the event, emphasizing the importance of prayer during the pilgrimage.
“I urge the intending pilgrims to leverage on the opportunity of the pilgrimage and pray for their well-being, states, and the nation,” he said.
Federal Commissioner representing North Central in the Board of NCPC, Dr. Simon Dolly, called on the intending pilgrims to develop a positive mentality about the leaders of the nation. “I charge you to pray for the leaders of our dear nation in the holy land,” he said.
Some of the intending pilgrims expressed optimism that their prayers would be answered as they go to the holy land to pray.
The third batch of intending Christian pilgrims to Israel and Jordan consists mainly of the Plateau State contingent, made up of about 300 intending pilgrims.
