21st June, 2018
Rev. Tor Uja, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), has said that 2,400 Christians are going for 2018 Easter pilgrimage to Israel on June 27.
Uja made the disclosure during a strategic meeting at NCPC headquarters with States Pilgrimage Leaders, comprising of Chairmen and Secretaries of States Pilgrims Welfare Boards, including FCT, on Thursday in Abuja.
He explained that the Easter pilgrimage that was slated for March 2018 was delayed due to some operational reasons.
The executive secretary said the Commission would organise four prayer convocations in Israel during the pilgrimage, which would entail a day prayer and fasting for the nation.
He said that the Commission was partnering with relevant security agencies to checkmate the spate of absconders during the pilgrimage in the Holy Land.
He, however, urged the leaders to collaborate with the commission to fight absconders, which has become an embarrassment to the nation.
“No Nigerian Pilgrim needs to abscond in Israel.
All pilgrims that emerge from Nigeria should reflect our values as a people.
We have come to a point where we have something to show the world,” he said.
According to him, even when Israel was not allowing pilgrims into its territory due to the crisis going on there at the time, Nigerians who desired to visit the Holy Land were allowed entry with protection and support throughout their stay in Jerusalem and other parts of the country.
The NCPC boss said the Israeli government has shown its goodwill to Nigerian pilgrims in ways too numerous to mention.
He said that the Christian pilgrimage would focus on three aspects which are enhancing the spiritual content of pilgrimage, using pilgrimage to showcase the great beauty and capacity that Nigeria has and using pilgrimage to promote national development.
Uja commended all the Governors who have been sponsoring and supporting Christian pilgrimage over the years and the Federal Government for investing in pilgrimage.
NCPC would commence its Maiden Women Pilgrimage to Israel on July 30 and their supplication would bring blessings to the nation.