President Bola Tinubu has cautioned Nigerian pilgrims travelling to Israel and Jordan against abscondment, stressing that “there is no country like Nigeria.”
The President gave the warning while officially flagging off the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission’s (NCPC) delayed Easter Pilgrimage exercise to Israel and Jordan at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, Tinubu described pilgrimage as a sacred journey of faith and urged participants to uphold Nigeria’s image by conducting themselves responsibly. He praised the Executive Secretary of NCPC, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, for his innovative leadership and successful conduct of four pilgrimages to the Holy Land since assuming office.
On his part, Bishop Adegbite commended President Tinubu and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma for their unwavering support, urging intending pilgrims to remain disciplined and serve as worthy ambassadors of Christ and the nation.
Meanwhile, about 350 intending Christian pilgrims from Imo and Abia States were airlifted directly to the Holy Land from the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport — the first time in the history of Christian pilgrimage in Imo State.