.JPG)
Executive Secretary . NCPC, Mr. John Kennedy Opara (left) having a
tete a tete with the deputy Senate president Sen. Ike Ekweramdu, and
the Secretary to the Gov't of the Federation (SGF) Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, during the first NCPC family Pilgrimage flag-off at NAIA Abuja recently
The Executive Governor of
Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has described Christian pilgrimage as a very
enriching the spiritual experience.
He stated this on Wednesday, when the
Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) Mr.
John Kennedy Opara paid him a sensitization visit in Warri, Delta State
Governor Uduaghan explained
that his experience in Israel some years back would never be forgotten in a
hurry because all his petitions while in the Holy Land were all answered.
He pledged the total support
of his government in the affairs of Christian pilgrimage in the state. His
words: “I want to assure you that the number that has been allocated to us we
will make sure we redeem it”. He further assured; “we will meet up with all our
commitments”.
According to him, “for us as
a state we have taken Christian pilgrimage very serious”. He commended the
state chairman of the Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board, Archbishop Godowell
Avwomakpa for his innovation of introducing agricultural content to the
pilgrimage exercise to expose Delta pilgrims to the agricultural endowment of
Israel while on holy pilgrimage so that this could be replicated in the state.
He further commended the
state for the zero abscondment of her pilgrims while in the Holy Land. Governor
Uduaghan also commended the transformational strides of Mr. John Kennedy Opara,
especially his efforts in encouraging Nigerian Christians to go on
pilgrimage. His Excellency advised that there should be an organized
framework for churches and private people who go to Israel on pilgrimage to
avoid mixed ups and unnecessary embarrassment.
He promised he would join
Mr. President to Israel on pilgrimage with other governors. He assured the NCPC
boss that he would work closely with the Commission for the possibility of
airlifting Delta pilgrims and pilgrims from nearby states to fly directly to
Israel from Asaba International Airport. Earlier, the NCPC boss told the
governor that he was in the state with his team to sensitize the good people of
Delta state on the need for Christians to encourage one another, especially the
wealthy ones by sponsoring those who cannot afford to go on pilgrimage.
He therefore stressed that the position of the
Commission was that pilgrimage should be used as a tool for Moral and Spiritual
Transformation. He posited that only transformed minds can sustain the
transformation agenda of the government.
He called on wealthy Christians to sponsor
those who cannot afford to go on their own because pilgrimage should be for
those who are “spiritually rich, but materially poor”. He added that “blessed
is a man whose heart is on pilgrimage”.
The NCPC boss also informed
the governor that Mr. President had requested that he joined him alongside
other governors on his planned trip to Israel on holy pilgrimage. He
underscored the fact that this is important because it would be the first time
ever for a sitting Christian President to go on holy pilgrimage to Israel. He
further disclosed that the President had graciously approved the concessionary
exchange rate of 1$ to 146 naira for both Christians and Muslims and this had
reduced pilgrimage cost to Israel by 12% and Rome by 21%.
He thanked his Excellency
for sponsoring about 1,210 pilgrims last year, he therefore allotted 1,500
seats to the state this year.
Mr. Opara equally informed
the Governor that the commission introduced a number of packages in order to
strengthen the faith of Christians. Among the packages is the family pilgrimage
which would help Christians to pray together, because according to him,
families that pray together, sticks together”. The flag off of the pilot scheme
of the family pilgrimage was flagged off on 28th August, 2013 in Abuja Airport
by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.
Mr. Opara also commended the
Governor for his leadership style and the massive transformation of the state
which is visible and palpable. He commended his achievements especially in the
health care sector where he provided free medical care to children from ages
one to ten. He assured the Governor of the Commission’s willingness to fly
pilgrims of the state to Israel this year through Asaba international Airport
thereby raising the international status of the State.
The Executive Secretary was
accompanied on the sensitization visit by four federal commissioners: Pastor
Mike Abrakata representing South-South, Archbishop Numel Babba, representing
North East, Mrs. Helen Ughoro representing North Central and Rtd. Major Dogara
Akut, representing North West.
