AWKA – By Innocent Phinan Governor of Anambra State Willie Obiano, has charged Nigerian Christians to embark on pilgrimage to the holy land in order to gain spiritual transformation, which he said is a rewarding experience.
A statement issued on Wednesday by the head of the media unit of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Celestine Oguguo, noted that Governor Obiano made this disclosure in his office in Awka while receiving the Executive Secretary of NCPC, Rev. Tor Uja who was on a sensitization visit to the State.
Governor Obiano Stated that because of the importance of pilgrimage to Christians” we want to encourage every able bodied man to go on pilgrimage every year”
He commended the NCPC boss for the introduction of Support a Pilgrim to Israel (SAPTI) initiative which according to him” will enable many Christians to go on Holy Pilgrimage to Israel”. He advised that the Commission should target different groups who have been contributing money to send themselves on pilgrimage. He posited that such groups would want to key into such veritable and credible platform like SAPTI.
He admonished the members of board of the State Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board (CPWB) to think out of the box and come out with creative ideas that would add value to their programmes, stressing that the era of depending on Government sponsorship of pilgrims was over.
The Governor further assured the NCPC boss that he would provide creative ideas to support the indigent ones to go on pilgrimage, the statement said.
Earlier, the NCPC boss congratulated the Governor for his selfless service to the people of Anambra state and to the nation, saying “you have given our nation governance, you are offering leadership”
Rev. Uja further appreciated the Governor for his infrastructural and Agricultural development in the State.
He canvassed for a prayer session by men of God in the State to pray for the Governor and the State adding that those who go on pilgrimage have on enhancement than somebody who has not gone on pilgrimage.
According to him “I am convinced that every Nigerian Christian should be helped to go on pilgrimage at least once in a life time.”
He informed the Governor about the four pilgrimage programmes of the Commission which according to him are all important.
He described the Youth pilgrimage programme of the Commission as very critical because of the spiritual impact on the youths and the need to build the nationalist character in Nigeria as well as to expose them to opportunities in Agriculture.
Rev. Uja urged the Governor to send at least 200 Anambra youths to Israel this year, the statement added.
