Delta State government has placed security personnel in the midst of intending pilgrims to Jordan and Israel to stop any attempt by them to abscond.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had during the Delta State Pilgrims Pre-Departure Orientation to the holy land, warned them not to “attempt what they cannot finish.”
The governor who was represented by the commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Mr Etacherure Ejiro, described holy pilgrimage as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and to experience the holy sites.
He admonished the intending pilgrims to approach the exercise with reverence, noting that the financial requirement for each intending pilgrim to embark on the holy pilgrimage to Jordan and Israel is over N5 million.
While commending the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission and the Delta State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board for their tireless efforts in organizing the pilgrimage, the Governor warned against abscondment by pilgrims.
“I think it is important to sound a note of warning that there would be security personnel in our midst to stop any attempt by pilgrims to abscond. So, please, don’t even attempt what you cannot finish. The Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board has put together a team of operational staff to ensure a hitch-free pilgrimage,” he stated.
The chairman of the Delta State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Apostle Sylvanus Okorote, disclosed that Delta State government is sponsoring each of the 250 intending pilgrims to Jordan and Israel with N3 million as well as payment of N750,000 as travelling allowance while the federal government is subsidizing with N2 million for each pilgrim.
He urged the intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state and the country, and refrain from acts capable of denting the nation’s image.
Apostle Okorete said the holy pilgrimage offered an opportunity for those sponsored to pray for themselves, their families, the state and the country.
The state chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Lucky Osagbaikhoe appreciated the Delta state government and the federal government for committing huge sum of money for the sponsorship of pilgrims from the state, urging the pilgrims to make good use of the opportunity to pray for God’s intervention in the prevailing economic and security challenges confronting the country.
