FCT : First Lady Flags Off Screening For Intending Christian Pilgrims

First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu has flagged off the 2023 screening exercise for intending Christian pilgrims to Jordan and Israel in the Federal capital Territory.

At the ceremony in Abuja, Mrs Tinubu advised the pilgrims to have a clear purpose and motive of going on pilgrimage and shun any act that might affect the image of Nigeria.

Mrs. Tinubu who was represented by a staff in her office, Bola Adewoye described the intending pilgrims as most privileged and so should represent the country well and not think of abscondment as many christians desire to go on pilgrimage which is an opportunity of a life time.

“You must avoid anything that will tarnish the image of the country while carrying out your spiritual activities in the Holy land,” she added.

On his part, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, NCPC, Bishop Stephen Adegbite appealed to the intending pilgrims to pray for Nigeria and the leaders following numerous challenges bedeviling the nation.

Bishop Adegbite who was represented by the Federal commissioner representing North Central in the Commission, Dr. Samson Dolly also urged the Pilgrims to shun all vices capable of bringing disrepute to the image of the country while in the Holy Land.

”Seek for prayers and not pleasure, continue to pray for peaceful coexistence of the nation while in the Holy Land” he stated.

Earlier in her address, the acting Director
FCT Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mrs.Rahila Isa-Baita who explained that all mechanisms have been put in place for a hitch free exercise urged the pilgrims to be orderly, keep to all rules and pray fervently for a better nation.

“Distinguished guests, permit me to reiterate that pilgrimage is a spiritual exercise. As you pray and meditate on your Christian journey, kindly remember to pray for our dear country Nigeria”, she stated.

Mrs Isa-Baita commended both Ministers of the FCT, Nyesom Wike and Dr. Mariya Mahmud for efforts put together to make the pilgrimage a huge success.

She urged the pilgrims to pray for the sustenance of peace and unity in the country by being good ambassadors of Christ while in the Holy Land.

The Acting Director warned the intending pilgrims against abscondment and urged them to adhere to all pharmaceutical measures to prevent health challenges in the holy.

In an interview some of the intending pilgrims, Rev. Father Sebastian Sanni and Pastor Oyewole Damilola who stressed that pilgrimage is a biblical injunction which enjoins believers to participate in the exercise as part of their call.

They explained that the pilgrimage will transform them spiritually and re- enforce their conviction as what they read in the scriptures will be seen physically hence it will increase their faith.

Above three hundred and fifty intending pilgrims are participating in the on going screening in Abuja.

By Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Grace Namiji