By
Shekara Anthony
About two hundred and eighty intending pilgrims from Adamawa and Lagos states have departed Nigeria for pilgrimage to Jordan and Israel.
The 8th batch of intending pilgrims were airlifted from Yola International Airport on 27th February, 2023.
In his remark at the orientation programme for the intending pilgrims, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Reverend Yakubu Pam thanked the Governor of Adamawa state, Alhaji Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for his support for Christians and Muslims in the state on sponsorship of pilgrims to the Holy lands.
He said the Yola International Airport was chosen by the Commission for the airlift of intending pilgrims from Adamawa state and Lagos states because of the peaceful coexistence of the people in the state.
The Executive Secretary appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his unflinching support for the Commission.
A statement by the Deputy Director and Head Media and Public of the commission, Celestine Toruka, quoted the executive secretary saying that it is under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, that the Commission was able to expand the scope of its Pilgrimage exercise to the Kingdom of Jordan.
Reverend 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 them to go and pray for the peace of the country and the success of the governorship elections in the states.
“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.
Earlier in his welcome address, the 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 to participate in the Pilgrimage exercise.
He also appreciated the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Reverend 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.
