President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 22nd December, 2024 at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, flagged off the 2024 Main Christian Pilgrimage exercise to Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, Mr. President spoke on the powers of prayers and the sanctity of religion.
A statement signed by Deputy Director and Head, Media and Public Relations, Celestine Toruka, Monday said the president urged the intending Christian pilgrims to see their pilgrimage journey as a chance to deepen their faith in God.
He added that pilgrimage is a spiritual journey of faith and should be treated with all seriousness.
He commended the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, (NCPC) under the leadership of Bishop Stephen Adegbite, for his bold initiatives and reiterated that the theme of the 2024 NCPC Main Pilgrimage exercise which is “Pilgrimage of Renewed Hope for Total Restoration” is apt as it is in line with the vision and agenda of his administration.
He urged the intending pilgrims to pray for the progress of Nigeria, Lagos state, and their families.
Mr. President also admonished them not to abscond in the holy land, stating that Nigeria is their fatherland and there is no place like home.
In his address, the executive secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, said he was particularly delighted that this is the major maiden pilgrimage exercise under his leadership as the 4th substantive executive secretary of NCPC.
He said there were challenges since he assumed office on 5th February, 2024, but that, “we have remained focused on our mandate to ensure smooth conduct of our pilgrimage to the holy sites around the world in line with the NCPC 2007 enabling act of the National Assembly.”
Her expressed optimism that at the end of this year’s Main Pilgrimage exercise, “there will be restoration at all levels and the Lord will certainly restore everything we have lost as a people.”
He admonished the intending pilgrims to be exemplary in their conduct, saying, “you must not be found wanting while on pilgrimage.”
He affirmed that Pilgrimage is not a respecter of titles, ranks or status, but a leveler, adding that pilgrimage is a time to exhibit humility, piousness and decorum.
He assured the intending pilgrims of excellent services by the commission’s service providers both in Israel and Jordan.
