By Bridget Ikyado
March 1,2023
Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam
has urged intending pilgrims to pray for the peace of the country and the success of the governorship elections in the states .
He gave the advice during the departure orientation programme for the 8th batch of intending pilgrims,comprising Adamawa and Lagos state at the Yola International Airport.
According to a statement by Celestine Toruka ,NCPC’ Deputy Director and Head Media and Public,Rev Pam said they were the batch that will go and pray so that the governorship elections will be successful and the will of God be done “.
Pam thanked the Governor of Adamawa state, Alhaji Ahmadu Fintiri for his support for christians and Muslims in the state in the sponsorship of intending pilgrims to the Holy land.
He said the Yola International Airport was chosen by the Commission for the airlift of intending pilgrims from Adamawa state because of the peaceful coexistence of the people.
He appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his unflinching support for the Commission.
He averred that under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Commission was able to expand the scope of its Pilgrimage exercise to the Kingdom of Jordan.
Rev 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.
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 participate in the Pilgrimage exercise.
He also appreciated the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr 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.
The 8th batch of intending pilgrims who departed the shores of Nigeria to Jordan and Israel on 27th February, 2023 were about 280 intending pilgrims of Adamawa and Lagos.