Plateau State Governor Samuel Lalong has flagged off the 2017 Christian pilgrimage to Israel in Gombe.
The Governor who was the Special Guest of honour at the flag off event admonished the intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of Christ and good ambassadors of Nigeria while in the Holy Land.
He urged them to also pray for the peace and progress of Nigeria, pray for President Muhammadu Buhari and the Governors.
Governor Lalong stated that pilgrimage is a period of spiritual reawakening and should not be seen as a leisure trip. He charged them to conduct themselves well in the Holy Land and Shun unholy acts during pilgrimage.
He posited that pilgrimage should impact positively on the lives of the pilgrims but once that purpose is defeated it becomes a big minus for the whole essence of the exercise.
In his remarks at the event, Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwanbo who was represented by his deputy, Hon. Charles Illiya stated that pilgrimage is a spiritual Journey to a holly place. According to him, “Christian pilgrimage affords us the opportunity to visit holy sites and pray for Nigeria”.
The Governor admonished the intending pilgrims to be of good behavior while in the Holy Land.
He informed all the intending pilgrims that all adequate arrangements have been put in place for a successful pilgrimage exercise.
He explained that 253 intending pilgrims were being sponsored by the State government out of which 24 were self-sponsored.
The Governor called on the intending pilgrims to continue to support government programmes and policies.
He commended the efforts of stakeholders in the pilgrimage sub-sector. His words: “I commend the management and staff of the Gombe State Christian pilgrim welfare Board for their tireless efforts towards successful conduct of the 2017 pilgrimage.”
He urged them to maintain the existing cordial relationship between Gombe CPWB, the Nigeria Christian pilgrim Commission, Ground Handlers and Air carriers”.
Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian pilgrim Commission, Rev. Tor Uja commended all the governors who have chosen to invest in Christian Pilgrimage.
He affirmed that pilgrimage is an unforgatable experience which is as old as man having started with our father Abraham in the Bible.
Rev. Uja explained that pilgrimage is not about sightseeing rather it is bigger than that. He said pilgrimage is about having spiritual encounter with our lord Jesus Christ.
The NCPC Boss further explained that pilgrimage affords pilgrims the opportunity to see various developments in Israel and see how much the Israeli government has developed their infrastructure. He stressed that Nigeria has the capacity to become the world’s largest exporter of Agricultural products.
He informed the intending pilgrims about the creed of the Commission which is Proclaiming Christ, Serving Nigeria”, he stated, “we ae not ashamed of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ”.
He enjoined the intending pilgrims to ensure they participate in all the spiritual activities put in place by the Commission in the Holy Land adding that “they are going to have an encounter in the Holy Land”.
He further charged: “let the pilgrims not return the way they go, let them return with change”.
The Flag off was the first to be held in Gombe by the Commission.
A total of 282 pilgrims were airlifted to Israel from Gombe which comprised 75 intending pilgrims from Bauchi state and 217 from Gombe State.
