The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has flagged off the 2015 Easter Pilgrimage to Israel, Rome and Greece
The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has flagged off the 2015 Easter Pilgrimage to Israel, Rome and Greece on Sunday, 1st March, 2015 at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
The President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was represented at the event by the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano who advised the intending pilgrims from Anambra State to pray for peace in Nigeria and total defeat of the insurgency in the North East. His words: “as you go to the Holy Land, try and pray for peace in Nigeria and total defeat of the Boko Haram in the North East”.
The President also advised them to obey the rules guiding them while in the Holy Land so as not to bring shame to Nigeria.
The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu also urged the intending pilgrims to pray for the nation, saying that the problem caused by Boko Haram had brought hardship to every tribe and not just the people of the North East.
In his address at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Mr. John Kennedy Opara urged the intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of Nigeria while in the Holy Land. He intimated that the Commission was already collaborating with the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) for the promotion of Christian Pilgrimage Lottery Scheme, saying it would afford every Christian the opportunity of obtaining a ticket that could take them to Israel through raffle draw.
The NCPC helmsman also stated that the Commission would introduce some innovations in this year’s pilgrimages to strengthen the Christian Pilgrimage activities. According to him, ”we are introducing basic leadership and skill acquisition programmes, the youth pilgrimage as well as Christian Pilgrimage Lottery Scheme.” These innovation will be our thrust in reaching more Christians who otherwise have remained untouched”.
He commended the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Obiano for his consistency in sponsoring large number of Pilgrims to Israel, a feat that is unprecedented, adding that it was a thing of joy that Anambra pilgrims were the first to commence the basic leadership and skill acquisition programme in Israel.
Earlier, the Chairman of NCPC, Most Rev. Nicholas D.Okoh advised the intending pilgrims not to take laws into their hands while in the Holy Land, rather, they should move as a team. He further advised them to remain focused so as not to distract each other, saying that their visit to the Holy Land should not be a shopping spree, rather it should be a spiritual exercise.
The theme of this year’s pilgrimage is: “Pilgrimage a tool for Moral Transformation and Spiritual Rebirth: moving to stability”. About 200 intending pilgrims from Anambra State were airlifted to Israel on the first batch of the Easter Pilgrimage.
Last year, the Commission also flagged off the Easter Pilgrimage exercise to Israel with Anambra State pilgrims and that was also the first time the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu was used by NCPC for its pilgrimage operations.
{gallery}FLAG OFF CEREMONY FOR 2015 EASTER PILGRIMAGE{/gallery}