The
Governor of Plateau State, Jonah David Jang has been selected to lead other
Governors to accompany the President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Holy
Pilgrimage to Israel this October.
The
Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Mr.
John Kennedy Opara disclosed this on Tuesday while on sensitization visit with
his Federal Commissioners to the governor in Jos.
According
to him, President Jonathan would be the first sitting Christian President of
Nigeria to embark on Holy Pilgrimage to Isreal. His words “you will lead other
Governors that will accompany him to Israel”.
He
lauded the Governor for sponsoring over 1,000 pilgrims last year. The NCPC
helmsman also intimated His Excellency that the Commission recently introduced
family pilgrimage in order to give families the opportunity to pray together because
“families that pray together sticks together”.
He
also informed Governor Jang that the commission had expanded the scope of
pilgrimage operations to Rome and Greece.
Mr.
Opara told the Governor and his lieutenants that Mr. President graciously approved
the concessionary exchange rate of US Dollar to 146 naira for both Christians
and Muslims for this year’s pilgrimage exercise. He stated that this had
reduced the package cost of this years Christian pilgrimage to Israel and Rome.
The
NCPC Chief Executive further stressed that the thrust of the commission is to
make Christian pilgrimage. A tool for Moral and Spiritual Transformation. He
explained that it is only transformed minds that would contribute positively to
the development of the nation. He averred that that “pilgrimage is a spiritual journey, not a
jamboree”.
Responding,
Governor Jang said that his selection to lead other Governors to accompany Mr.
President on Holy pilgrimage to Israel was a welcome development. He added that
he would work with the NCPC boss to work out the modalities on how to mobilize
and lead other Governors to accompany Mr. President on the historic and
spiritual journey to Israel. The Governor affirmed that Plateau pilgrims would
accompany Mr. President to Israel this year. He therefore thanked the Executive
Secretary for considering him, saying “it is a great honour and privilege for
Plateau pilgrims to show examples to others and for Mr. president to know that
pilgrimage to Israel is not a wasteful venture.
He
stressed the need for NCPC to increase the strictness of screening its exercise
to forestall any abscondment by pilgrims in future. His words, “we must
increase the strictness of our screening, the screening must be very thorough”. adding that “the screening committee sent to the states must be people of
integrity”.
He
further stressed that Israel as a nation is very important to all Christians,
because “he who blesses Israel must be blessed”
Governor
Jang stated that he looked forward to this year’s pilgrimage, assuring that his
colleagues would have the opportunity of praying for themselves and their entire
states.
He however
commended the efforts of the state Christian pilgrim welfare board.
