By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC has airlifted the 8th Batch of intending pilgrims in the comprising Adamawa and Lagos state from the Yola International Airport on 27th February, 2023.
Speaking at the orientation programme for the intending pilgrims, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam thanked the Governor of Adamawa state, Alhaji Ahmadu Fintiri for sponsoring both Christians and Muslims intending pilgrims from the state to the Holy land.
Rev.Pam explained the Yola International Airport was chosen by the Commission for the airlift of intending pilgrims from Adamawa state because of the peaceful coexistence of the people.
He appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his unflinching support for the Commission, adding that the Commission was able to expand the scope of its Pilgrimage exercise to the Kingdom of Jordan under the Buhari administration.
Rev Pam admitted that one of the benefits of the Commission’s Pilgrimage to Jordan is the introduction of visa on arrival for Nigerian pilgrims by the Jordanian government and the strengthening of bilateral relations with Nigeria.
He urged intending Pilgrims to pray for the peace of the country and the success of the governorship elections in the states.
He said,” You are the batch that will go and pray so that the governorship elections will be successful and the will of God be done.”
Rev Pam lauded the Adamawa state Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board for putting in place adequate preparations for the spiritual journey to Israel and Jordan.
Chairman of the Adamawa State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Bishop Peter Bathemaus, thanked the governor of Adamawa state for the financial support provided for the intending pilgrims of Adamawa state to enable them participate in the Pilgrimage exercise.
He also appreciated the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam for his visionary leadership.
Bishop Bathemaus admonished the intending pilgrims to be good Ambassadors of the state and Nigeria and should shun any tendency to abscond while on Pilgrimage.
The 8th batch of intending pilgrims who departed the shores of Nigeria to Jordan and Israel on 27th February, 2023 were 280 intending pilgrims of Adamawa and Lagos.
