Jonathan Urged Christian Pilgrims To Pray For Nigeria

Jonathan Urged Christian Pilgrims To Pray For Nigeria

Nigerian Christian pilgrims have been urged to pray for peace, success and peaceful conduct of 2015 general

Jonathan Urged Christian Pilgrims To Pray For Nigeria

Nigerian Christian pilgrims have been urged to pray for peace, success and peaceful conduct of 2015 general election and the release of the abducted Chibok girls.

President Jonathan, represented by the president of the Senate, Senator David Mark gave the advice at the weekend during the flag off of the 2014 Christian Pilgrimage said that Christians should not forget the main essence of pilgrimage is to pray and be spiritually reborn in order to live better lives and to affect the lives of the people around them positively.

"Do not forget the significance of pilgrimage, we need a rebirth and this rebirth must first begin with us for true transformation."Let us all pray for the safe release of the Chibok girls and let us also pray for the peaceful conduct of the 2015 general elections,’’ he said.

President Jonathan assured Nigerians that insecurity would not derail the Transformation Agenda from actualising its purpose, stressing that God himself was taking the lead in the fight against insecurity.
Jonathan urged Christians not to view the pilgrimage as an avenue for doing business but should maintain a clean sheet without absconding as it had been recorded over the last few years.

Jonathan also urged the pilgrims to see themselves as ambassadors of Nigeria and the they should be shining examples to other countries of the world that will be there for the spiritual exercise.

Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) John Kennedy Okpara, said that the government of Israel commended Nigeria for having a good record of no absconding pilgrims in the last few years.

Okpara further stated that a Medical team has been constituted to accompany the pilgrims and ensure their well-being while in the Holy Land; adding that the exercise requires physical fitness and movement to and fro various sites in the land.

He said that befitting accommodation as well as all the necessary things for the intending pilgrims has been secured, so as to ensure a hitch free pilgrimage.

According to him, “Until our pilgrims are airlifted to the Holy Land and back safely to Nigeria after the pilgrimage, we will not rest.”

He expressed gratitude to God and the government for the support which the commission had received in conducting a successful pilgrimage.

He expressed hope that upon their return, the pilgrims would have become spiritually re-dedicated to God and would impart the good thing they had learnt to people around them.

Speaking at the ceremony also, the Chairman of the Board of NCPC and Primate of the Anglican Church, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, urged all contractors and handlers to treat the pilgrims with respect.

"Pilgrims must also endeavour to be their brothers’ keeper during this pilgrimage; do not resist corrections, stay together as one,’’ he said.

He said kind hearted Nigerians should sponsor pilgrims to the Holy Land so as to get more favour from God who is the author of their wealth. “When you show mercy to the less privilege, God will equally show you mercy”.

A total of 30,000 pilgrims are to be airlifted for this year’s pilgrimage exercise.

NCPC MEDIA