By Ebriku John Friday
The last batch of pilgrims for the December 2022 Main pilgrimage exercise to Israel and Jordan arrived the country safely and complete on 8th April, 2023.
The last batch which was the 10th batch of pilgrims that participated in the NCPC December 2022 Main pilgrimage exercise were made up of pilgrims from Plateau, Ekiti, Kwara, Osun, self sponsored Pilgrims as well as Consulars.
In a statement by Mr. Celestine Toruka, Deputy Director and Head Media and public Relations, the pilgrims who departed Nigeria on 30th March, 2023 through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos where the intending Pilgrims from Osun, Ekiti and Kwara were picked ,arrived Queen Alia International Airport, Jordan in the early hours of 31st March .
While in the Holy land, the pilgrims spent three nights in Jordan where they visited some important landmark Holy Sites, including Mount Nebo where all the Nigerian Pilgrims gathered to pray for themselves and Nigeria.
The pilgrims also spent five functional nights in Israel and covered the pilgrimage circle from Galilee area, Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
While in Israel, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam had a Prayer meeting with all the pilgrims where he commended them for their exemplary conduct . He described them as unique and special being the batch that brought the 2022 Main pilgrimage to its successful denouement.
The NCPC helmsman also hinted that the Easter 2023 pilgrimage exercise would commence on 26th of this month.
Some of the dignitaries who were part of the last batch of pilgrims were the deputy Governor of Ekiti state, Her Excellency, Chief Mrs Monisade Afuye, the Acting Auditor General of the Federation, Dr Andy Onwudili, inter-alia.
