By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission NCPC has commenced the 2021 pilgrimage as 150 pilgrims from Adamawa State have were airlifted to Rome Rome on 23 May, from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
This is the first batch of intending Pilgrims to be airlifted to Rome.
The Federal commissioner representing the North East on the NCPC Board, Rev.Jidda Gelengu speaking on the airlift of pilgrims to Rome advised the Adamawa State intending pilgrims to Rome to be good ambassadors of faith and Nigeria, “represent Nigeria and the Church well” he said.
Rev. Gelengu admonished the intending pilgrims to represent Nigeria, church well, and be law abiding as they fulfil all requirements.
He disclosed that the intending pilgrims will be airlifted in two batches to Rome, through the Ethiopian Airline and Qatar Airways.
Also speaking, the Director of Mobilization, Mr Chris Udegbunam who described the journey as a sacred one, stated ” intending pilgrims will experience and see some of the things the Holy Bible spoke about”, as he made reference to Paul the Apostle who lived and taught in Rome.
He added that the intending Pilgrims would also visit the Papal were they are likely to have an audience with the Pope at the Vatican.
Mr. Udegbunam stressed that Pilgrims Commission Act has mandated the responsibility of coordinating and organising Christian Pilgrimage activities in Nigeria to Holy sites around the world, as such no body or agency can perform Christian Pilgrimage without passing through the regulating and supervising body of NCPC.
He also disclosed that the Executive Secretary Rev. Dr Yakubu Pam had gone ahead with some of the NCPC Team to ensure that all is in order to receive the intending pilgrims to which he described as a sign of good leadership.
