The Minister of State FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud has advised intending Christian pilgrims to Israel and Jordan to have a clear purpose and motive of going on pilgrimage and shun any act capable of tarnishing the image of country.
Dr. Mahmoud gave the advice at flag-off of the 2024 Pre-Departure Orientation for intending Christian Pilgrims put together by the FCT Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board in Abuja.
The Minister who described the intending pilgrims as most privileged appealed to them stay away from illegal activities and be good Ambassador of the nation.
She advised the pilgrims to use the exercise to seek healing, pray for God’s guardian for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leaders to enable them take the country to the promise land.
The FCT Minister of state also urged the pilgrim not think of abscondment as many christians desire to go on pilgrimage which is an opportunity of a life time.
“You must avoid anything that will tarnish the image of the country while carrying out your spiritual activities in the Holy land,” she added.
In her presentation, the FCT Head of Service, Mrs. Grace Adailo, who charged the pilgrims to channel all complains to God and pray for the leadership of the nation stressed that complains will not develop the country.
She urged the pilgrims to pray for the sustenance of peace and unity in the country by being good ambassadors of Christ while in the Holy Land.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Director FCT Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Gloria Dandam who explained that all mechanisms have been put in place for a hitch free exercise urged the pilgrims to be orderly, keep to all rules and pray fervently for a better nation.
“As pilgrims, you are not just visiting historical landmarks; you are on a journey of renewal, reflection, and redemption. You will have the opportunity to seek God’s blessings and pray for peace in our homes, country, and the world.
Dandam charged the pilgrims to support and encourage one another through the journey stressing that pilgrimage is not only and individual pursuit but a collective one.
“Together you will share the joy, peace and divine presence that comes from visiting these holy land” she added.
Dandam who explained that the journey is not an ordinary trip stressed that the exercise would afford the pilgrims the opportunity to seek God’s blessings, healing and peace in their various homes and the nation at large.
“To all intending pilgrims, this is no ordinary trip—it is a spiritual journey, a sacred pilgrimage, that will not only take you to the holy sites of Christianity but will also deepen your faith, strengthen your relationship with God, and bring you closer to the eternal message of peace, love, and hope that our Lord Jesus Christ embodies” Dandam emphasized.
Dandam commended the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud their continued support for the FCT Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board activities as well as the the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for their guidance and encouragement.
On his part, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, NCPC, Bishop Stephen Adegbite represented by Pastor Adebayo who stressed that pilgrimage is a spiritual journey urged the pilgrims to represent the nation well by abiding to all norms and values of the host countries.
Also the FCT Vice Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev Komolafe appealed to the intending pilgrims to pray for Nigeria and the leaders following numerous challenges bedeviling the nation and shun all act of abscondment.
In an interview some of the intending pilgrims, Rev. Adams Saboyaro and Mrs Stella Adamajuohi stressed that the pilgrimage will transform them spiritually and re- enforce their conviction as what they read in the scriptures will be seen physically hence it will increase their faith.
Above three hundred and fifty two intending pilgrims from both the national and the FCT will be airlifted tonight from Abuja to the holy land.
By Georgina Humphrey
