President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday led other Nigerian pilgrims to Israel in a special prayer for the numerous challenges facing Nigeria. Leading the intercessory prayer
President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday led other Nigerian pilgrims to Israel in a special prayer for the numerous challenges facing Nigeria.
Leading the intercessory prayer session at the Chapel of Dominous Flevit (where Jesus wept), the President particularly prayed for God’s intervention in the current political and security challenges in Nigeria.
Other pilgrims who led in different prayer points included Gov. Jonah Gang of Plateau, Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akin Adesina, FCT CAN President Rev. Israel Akanji and Rep. Ndudi Elumelu.
The president had earlier visited Mount Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Bascillica of Agony and Mount Zion where he also prayed alongside other pilgrims at the Upper Room (where Jesus had the last supper with His disciples).
Other places visited included David City, The Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, the last place where Jesus was kept a night before he was crucified.
The president and other Nigerian pilgrims also walked down the Palm Sunday Road to the Chapel of Dominous Flevit.
President Jonathan is expected to visit the Jerusalem Old City, The Wailing Wall, Golgotha, Pool of Bethesda and other holy sites in the second day of his pilgrimage.
{vsig}2013 Presidential Pilgrimage{/vsig}
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that eight governors, seven ministers and three members of the National Assembly were part of the entourage to Israel.
The governors are Chief Theodore Orji of Abia; Anambra, Mr Peter Obi; Akwa-Ibom, Chief Godswill Akpabio; Ebonyi, Chief Martin Elechi, and Delta, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.
Others are Gov. Gabriel Suswam of Benue; Jonah Jang of Plateau and Gov. Lyiel Imoke of Cross River.
The ministers included the supervising Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri; FCT Minister of State, Olajumoke Akinjide; Minister of Infromation, Mr Labaran Maku and the Minister of Aviation, Princes Stella Oduah.
Members of the National Assembly in the presidential pilgrimage are Senate Committee Chairman on Power, Sen. Philip Aduda, and Sen. Paul Paulka.
NAN also reports that this is the first time a sitting Nigerian president will embark on pilgrimage to Israel and this year recorded the highest number of Nigerian participants.
The president is in Israel on dual purpose, undergoing pilgrimage and state visit where Nigeria would sign a number of agreements with the state of Israel, including the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA)