Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo has charged the 1,000 Christian pilgrims from the state leaving for Israel and Jordan on pilgrimage to pray for Nigeria’s unity and peace.

Mr Uzodimma, who gave the advice at the flag-off ceremony for the 2023 Imo State pilgrimage, also charged them to be good state ambassadors.

The pilgrims immediately departed Owerri to the Port-Harcourt International Airport, where they would be transported.

Mr Uzodimma urged the pilgrims to use the opportunity to thank God for overcoming the state’s security challenges in the last two years.

He noted that at the height of the contrived insecurity in the state, where innocent lives and those of security personnel were lost, he had cause to cry to God in tears.

“One day in tears, I said God, where are you?

“We did pray, and God answered us. Today, we have relative peace.

“Use this opportunity to thank God for that feat and ask for his intervention to finish the job; that we need peace in Imo state,” he said.

The governor also asked them to pray for Nigeria and President Muhammadu Buhari, “whom God used to support the infrastructural revolution in the state”.

“Pray for the president-elect to continue from where President Buhari stopped. Ask God to forgive us, to show us mercy, grant us good health and peace,” he added.

He reminded the intending pilgrims to exhibit good behaviour and ensure they all returned to the country.

The executive secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Yakubu Pam, commended Mr Uzodimma and President Muhammadu Buhari for promoting the pilgrimage culture.

However, Mr Pam warned that the commission would not hesitate to arrest guarantors of any pilgrim who absconded.

(NAN)