The Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) is set to flag off this year’s general Pilgrimage to Israel, Greece and Rome on 17th November.
A statement issued on Sunday by Assistant Director and Head of the Media Unit of the commission, Celestine Oguguo, noted that the chairman of the Commission Rev. Yomi Kasali disclosed this in Yola, Adamawa State capital during a sensitization visit to the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, who was represented by his deputy, Chief Crowther Seth.
The NCPC helmsman commended the government and people of Adamawa State for the key role they have been playing in Christian Pilgrimage operations in the past years. He stressed that the Commission in recent times had used the high number of pilgrims the state government sponsored to stimulate the government and Christians in the south.
He told the Deputy Governor that there was a need to “see how we can ensure that the faith which we believe in is strengthened through pilgrimage”, the statement said.
Kasali affirmed that the Federal Government is highly supportive to the Hajj operations as well as the Christian pilgrimage operations.
He therefore called on the states to support pilgrimage in order to avail the less-privileged Christians the opportunity of experiencing this once-in-a-life time experience in the Holy Land. “We have come to appreciate you for what you have done in the past and to solicit for your assistance and patronage”, he said.
Responding, the Deputy Governor, Seth, stated that the state comprises both Christians and Muslims and as such the government would always ensure that everyone was carried along in matters of pilgrimage.
He also explained that in spite of the economic challenges the state was facing, the state government would try do its best to ensure that Christians would be given the opportunity to participate in this year’s pilgrimage. He added that the government as usual would continue to support pilgrimage.
In her remarks, the Director in Charge of NCPC, Esther Kwaghe, further canvassed for more sponsorship of Christians of Adamawa state on pilgrimage by the government.e
In a related development, the NCPC sensitization team to Yola also had an interactive session with both the Leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and officials of the state Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board at St. Theresa’s Catholic Cathedral, Yola.
Kasali explained that the reason why he is obsessed with Pilgrimage is simply because of the past; “when I see the land Jesus walked on and lived, it excites my faith”. He further explained that he would like the less-privileged Christians to have a life-long experience by going on pilgrimage. This according to him “will ensure that the faith of the feeble and the weak are strengthened”.
He encouraged the Christian faithful to ensure that the number of Christians who participated in last year’s pilgrimage in Adamawa state would be surpassed this year.
In her remarks, the Director in Charge of NCPC, Esther Kwaghe told the Christian faithful that she had been looking forward to a day such as this to talk about pilgrimage. According to her, “We live Pilgrimage and we talk Pilgrimage”. She further stressed that Pilgrimage should not be left for government alone, but that rather the church and well-meaning individuals should be ready to sponsor Christians on Holy Pilgrimage.
In his welcome remarks, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) who is also the Catholic Bishop of Yola Arch Diocese, Bishop Stephen Mamza, expressed joy for the interactive session between NCPC and the church in Adamawa State. He explained that the visit would serve as a source of hope and encouragement for pilgrimage project in the state.
In the words of the Clergy, “it is our hope that with your presence, we will be able to get good support for Christian pilgrimage and strong collaboration so that we will be able to achieve the objectives of your Commission.”.
The other members of the NCPC sensitisation team to Yola included the Federal Commissioner representing South West on NCPC Board, Anthony Fasipe, Federal Commissioner North East, Musa Gelengu, and Amos Yohanna, the Director of Operations of NCPC.
