NCPC screens 368 intending pilgrims from Delta

The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has commenced the screening of 368 intending pilgrims from Delta ahead of the trip to Israel and Jordan.
A statement by the commission’s Head, Media and Public Relations, Celestine Toruka, said that the screening commenced on Friday in Asaba.
The 368 intending pilgrims are being sponsored by the Delta State government.
The NCPC screening team was led by Deputy Director and Head of Special Duties Department, Raphael Oyinloye.
It is expected that those who scaled through the two-day screening would be travelling for the pilgrimage by the middle of January, 2023.
Johnbull Edema, the state Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, thanked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for sponsoring Christians to perform the pilgrimage twice in 2022.
He urged the intending pilgrims to provide correct information about themselves to avoid being disqualified by the NCPC.
“The previous pilgrimage was adjudged wonderful, therefore you should do better than the former one,” he added.
Mr Edema further admonished them not to entertain any thought of abscondment, as they would be fished out and prosecuted.
In his exortation, Chairman, Delta Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Cyril Odutemu, urged the intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of Christ and Nigeria in the Holy land.
He added, “as ambassadors of our country it will be so disgraceful if you bring shame to this state.”
The chairman said it would be an aberration for any intending pilgrim to go to the Holy land without interceding for Nigeria and the state.
“Nigeria needs prayers now, we need to pray to God in Israel to give us good leaders for this nation in the next dispensation,” Mr Odutemu added.
He commended the state governor for sponsoring the pilgrims, in spite of the current economic situation in the country.
In his remarks, the state Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Sylvanus Okorote, advised the intending pilgrims to regard the exercise as a spiritual retreat.
He urged them to pray for the state and the success of the governor who facilitated the trip.
Also, Executive Secretary of the board, Samuel Okoh, advised the intending pilgrims to cooperate with the NCPC screening team by providing vital documents that would facilitate the process.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

NationWide
Man arraigned for allegedly sending ex-lover’s sex video to husband
Mr Opaleye said Oluwatomisin conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace.

World
Australian police return stolen coin to Poland
Australian parties were unaware at the time it had been stolen.

Anti-Corruption
Alleged N201 Million Fraud: Absence of EFCC witnesses stalls trial of company CEOs
Justice Kezziah Ogbonnaya adjourned the matter until March 17 for hearing.

Hot news Home top
Appeal Court affirms Olaoye as Soun of Ogbomoso, rivals head for Supreme Court
Mr Ogunjumi said that he was ready to file notice and grounds of the appeal to attack the judgment of the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court.
![Map of the United States, [CREDIT: Geology.com]](https://gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Map-of-the-United-States.jpg)
World
Flood death toll in U.S. south rises to 14
The death toll in the state rose from eight, including a seven-year-old child, on Sunday.

Lagos
Lagos LCDA chairman distributes 350 free UTME forms to indigent applicants
Mr Olatunde said the initiative was aimed at ensuring that financial constraints did not hinder deserving students from accessing higher education.