No fewer than 1,000 Christian pilgrims on Wednesday departed the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State, for a holy pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), George Akume, flagged off the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission’s (NCPC) 2025 delayed Easter pilgrimage.

Mr Tinubu, who described pilgrimage as “a spiritual journey of faith”, cautioned the travellers against absconding.

The president further described it as a “platform for moral transformation and spiritual rebirth.”

While noting that prayer remained a sustaining force for Nigeria, he reiterated the federal government’s commitment to promoting religious harmony in the country.

Mr Tinubu said: “I, therefore, urge you to ensure you return with your batch at the end of your pilgrimage so that you can join forces with the government to build an egalitarian society where no man is oppressed.

“It is equally germane to reiterate that NCPC, under the leadership of Bishop Stephen Adegbite, has put all mechanisms in place to check abscondment.

“It will interest you to know that the Commission, in all its pilgrimages from December last year to date, has been able to achieve almost zero abscondment, so be warned,” he stressed.

Mr Tinubu emphasised that the theme of the exercise, “Pilgrimage of Renewed Hope for Total Restoration,” aligned  with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which sought to improve the quality of life of all Nigerians.

He acknowledged that some government’s policies had been tough on citizens, but assured Nigerians that “there will certainly be light at the end of the dark tunnel.”

Mr Tinubu said his achievements in youth empowerment, infrastructure, education, and security, as well as the reductions in insurgency, kidnapping, and banditry, can be attributed to his resolve to restore peace in troubled areas.

The president also lauded Gov. Hope Uzodimma’s spiritual commitment and sponsorship of 1,000 Christian pilgrims this year, just as he did in 2023.

In a remark, Mr Uzodimma thanked the president for taking a keen interest in the physical and spiritual well-being of the Nigerian citizens and for his commitment for a better country.

The governor admonished the pilgrims to see the exercise as an opportunity to seek the face of God, pray for the state and the country.

“We will work against any abuse. As you journey to the Holy lands, carry Nigeria in your heart, pray for peace, prosperity, unity, and the president for additional wisdom and guidance,” he said.

Also speaking, Gov. Alex Otti of Abia, who was represented by his chief of staff, Caleb Ajagba, urged the pilgrims not to see the trip as a mere tourist exercise.

Mr Otti encouraged them to ask themselves the question of why they wanted to go on pilgrimage, rather than seeing it as just any other journey.

Earlier, Mr Adegbite thanked Mr Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, first lady, Remi Tinubu and Messrs Uzodimma and Akume, for their commitment towards the spiritual upliftment of the Nigerian citizens.

He commended Mr Uzodimma for sponsoring the pilgrims, describing him as “a wonderful governor, leader par excellence, great man by all standards, beacon of hope for Imo, pilgrimage and Nigeria.”

The NCPC boss also joined in urging the pilgrims to view the trip as purely spiritual and apply themselves accordingly.

Prayers were offered for the body of Christ, peace in Nigeria and the Middle East, a successful pilgrimage, and for the president, governors, and Nigerian leaders.

(NAN)