The Executive Secretary of Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) Rev. Tor Uja has said that the October/December 2017 pilgrimage to Israel, Greece and Rome would be formally flagged off in Gombe, on 19th November, 2017. He disclosed this in Abuja during a meeting with Pilgrimage Leaders across the states, including FCT.
He explained that the flag off would be an opportunity for Christian leaders to meet the Governor of Gombe state Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwanbo and other Christian leaders of thought in the state. He enjoined the pilgrimage leaders to join the Commission for the flag off in Gombe on 19th November.
Rev. Uja thanked the Governors for supporting Christian pilgrimage over the years and called on Christian leaders in government to invest on pilgrimage by sponsoring Christians on pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
He averred that the Commission would make pilgrimage more spiritual than ever. His words; “we want to make pilgrimage more than just a story or an event, but a deepening of our faith”.
He called on the church to take ownership of Christian pilgrimage, adding that “pilgrimage is not a government programme, it is a church programme”. He stressed that it is incumbent on Christian leaders to fund pilgrimage and to sponsor Christians on pilgrimage.
Rev. Uja also tasked all the Christians who are in leadership and have not been on pilgrimage to ensure they embark on the spiritual Journey to Israel.
The NCPC boss equally enjoined non-Christian leaders in government to also sponsor Christians on pilgrimage to stimulate prayers and for the health of the nation.
In the words of Rev. Uja, “pilgrimage will help us to understand where we are and decide where we want to go” thus, he called on the Pilgrimage Leaders to key into the new direction of the Commission so that Christian pilgrimage in Nigeria could be given its rightful place in the scheme of things.
The NCPC helmsman, further averred that Nigeria is an engaging nation; active and vibrant. According to him; “if you want a vibrant and engaging life, Nigeria is a place to be”. He explained that Nigeria has taken part peace in keeping operations in the world more than most countries.
He admonished intending pilgrims not to abscond in the Holy Land as Nigeria has what it takes to make them comfortable. Explained that in Nigeria they live as kings, while outside the country they are slaves to their host countries, adding that it is more dignifying to be in Nigeria and be part of our developmental process.
However, the NCPC boss stated that the biggest challenge of Nigeria is the shortage of men of truth. To this end, he stressed that Christian pilgrimage is designed on truth. According to Rev. Uja; “Nigeria’s biggest challenge remains spiritual and that spiritual direction must generate men of truth”.
He therefore stated that there was need to invest in our people in character development. In this regard, he emphasized that every Nigerian Christians is allowed to perform Holy pilgrimage to Israel at least once in their lifetime.
He informed that the Commission would commence the Traditional Rulers pilgrimage by next year and that the mobilization of Christian Traditional Rulers across the country has begun in earnest.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman Conference of states of all the chairmen and Secretaries of states Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board (CPWBs) who is also the Chairman of Taraba state Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board, Rev. Isaiah Magaji, thanked NCPC for putting together such a wonderful meeting. According to him; “it is a big achievement for NCPC to have brought everyone that is involved in Christian pilgrimage in Nigeria to set the house for the flag off of this year’s pilgrimage”.
He stated that the starting up of this year’s pilgrimage exercise would be on a very serious note. He added, “This year’s pilgrimage exercise will be a great success”.
The chairman described the meeting as a family meeting of pilgrimage business.
It would be recalled that NCPC flagged off the 2016 pilgrimage in Yola, this year it would be in Gombe and the next pilgrimage leaders meeting would be held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital, having been agreed by the pilgrimage leaders to hence forth rotate their meetings.
