By Ebriku John Friday
The Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev Dr Yakubu Pam has urged intending pilgrims of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo to pray for the success of the 2023 general election and the unity of Nigeria.
He made this known on Sunday, 5th February, 2023 in Ikeja, Lagos during a farewell ceremony for the intending pilgrims who would be embarking on Holy Pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan tonight, Celestine Toruka, Deputy Director and Head Media and Public Relations said in a statement.
In the words of the NCPC boss,” this is our year of general election, I see your prayers being answered”. He added,” please whatever you are going to do, make sure you pray for the unity of Nigeria”.
Rev Pam hinted that since the commencement of the 2022 December pilgrimage exercise to Israel and Jordan, he had visited almost every geo – political zone where inaugural flights of intending pilgrims took place and Lagos should not be an exception.
He lauded the Executive Governor of Lagos state, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu for advancing the cause of christian pilgrimage in the state and Nigeria as a whole.
He described the No 1 Citizen of Lagos state as being friendly to NCPC and had made Christian Pilgrimage activities a means of uniting the country. He further commended him for his leading role in the sponsorship of pilgrims to the Holy land in the whole of South West.
Rev Pam further affirmed that under his leadership, Pilgrimage had been used to better the image of the country.
He enjoined the intending pilgrims to ensure they all return back to the country after their successful Pilgrimage exercise by avoiding the temptation of abscondment.
According to him,” you are returning back , all other batches that have gone , we have not recorded any abscondment and this Sixth batch we will not record any either”.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Lagos state Governor on Christian Religious Matters, Very Reverend Olubukola Adeleke charged the intending pilgrims to be good Ambassadors of the state and Nigeria.
He further enjoined them to pray fervently for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the support he had been giving to both the Christian community as well as the muslim community in Lagos state.
He prayed that there would be peace in Nigeria and there would be peace in Lagos . According to him, ” you will go in peace and come back to meet your family in peace.
The sixth batch of NCPC 2022 December pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan was made up of Lagos , Bayelsa, Ogun and Oyo.
