By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
As the second batch of intending Christian pilgrims
leaves Nigeria for Jordan and Israel, the Chairman of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, NCPC, RT. Rev. Prof. Monsignor Cletus Gotan, has cautioned the intending Christian pilgrims to be of good behaviour and ambassadors of the country.
He gave the charge on Friday, 9th January, 2026, during the airlift of the second batch of intending pilgrims at the Pilgrims Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
RT. Rev. Prof. . Monsignor Gotan noted that the pilgrimage exercise was made possible through the support of the government and relevant stakeholders, stressing that pilgrims must reciprocate this gesture by being good ambassadors of Nigeria wherever they go.
“Wherever you go, people will read Nigeria in you. If you misbehave, they will say Nigerians misbehave, but if you behave well, you represent your country positively,” he said.
The chairman, who welcomed the intending pilgrims, assured them of adequate arrangements for a smooth journey, informing them that they would transit through Lagos before proceeding to Israel and Jordan as he prayed for their successful journey and pilgrimage.
The NCPC chairman warned of zero tolerance for absconding or acts capable of tarnishing Nigeria’s image, noting that stringent monitoring mechanisms had been put in place and that sponsors would be heavily penalized if any pilgrim failed to return.
Furthermore, he appealed that the intending pilgrims should cooperate fully with NCPC officials, bus captains, and medical personnel, who would be easily identified and readily available to offer assistance throughout the pilgrimage.
Additionally, emphasizing the spiritual purpose of the journey, RT. Rev. Prof. . Monsignor Gotan emphasized the spiritual importance of pilgrimage and urged the participants to remain prayerful, disciplined, and Christ-like in conduct.
“We are not going there for trouble or pleasure alone; we are going there for prayer. Let us go as Christians and return as better people,” he added.
He also cautioned against wasteful habits, especially in hotels and buffet settings, noting that such behavior reinforces negative stereotypes about Nigerians.
Sharing personal experiences, the chairman stressed the importance of vigilance, humility, and obedience to instructions, particularly in unfamiliar environments.
He advised them to ask questions when unsure and encouraged younger pilgrims to assist the elderly.
RT Rev. . Prof. Monsignor Gotan further assured the intending pilgrims that medical teams were fully prepared and prayed for divine protection, good health, and a hitch-free pilgrimage.
“As God has brought us here today, He will surely take us there safely and bring us back in peace,” he affirmed.
The airlift of the second batch of intending pilgrims marks another significant step in NCPC’s commitment to ensuring a smooth, secure, and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage for Nigerian Christians, the commission’s Deputy Director and Head Media and Public Relations, Celestine Toruka said in a press release made available to Daybreak on Saturday.
This second batch is made up of mainly intending pilgrims fromBorno , Consulars, and Bauchi .
Daybreak reports that the commission commenced the 2025 main pilgrimage exercise on 29th December, 2025, with a groundbreaking launch of a Boeing 777- 300 with a seating capacity of over 500 pilgrims, the largest aircraft ever operated in Nigeria for the airlift of Christian pilgrims to the holy land.
The first batch of pilgrims for the 2025 main pilgrimage exercise arrived in Nigeria safely on the 8th of January, 2026.
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