FCT Board Screens Intending Christian Pilgrims

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board has commenced the administrative and medical screening process for intending pilgrims to Israel and Jordan, marking a significant step in preparation for the 2025 main/2026 Easter pilgrimage.

Speaking during the exercise on Thursday, director of the Board, Mrs Dandam Gloria, said the screening was a collaborative effort with the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) and other relevant government agencies aimed at verifying travel documents and assessing the medical fitness of pilgrims.

Dandam explained that the screening process was designed to validate travel documents, enlighten pilgrims on expectations during the journey, and equip the medical team with necessary medications to address pilgrims’ health needs.

She assured prospective pilgrims that the Board has put in place measures that will ensure a seamless exercise before, during, and after the holy journey.

“For every year, the Christian pilgrimage is being improved, especially where we need to check everybody to know your health. So that if you are going, and you are a diabetic patient, certain nurses will look after you.

“If you have spiritual problems, our spiritual fathers will look after you. So I can tell you that Christian pilgrimage improves every year on all fronts.

“We have to liaise with NCPC, which is the one in charge of taking us out of Nigeria. So we are very sure of a successful exercise,” Dandam said.

On assessment of the preparation, head of Special Duties, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Mr Adetunji Adetoye, commended the FCT Administration for well-coordinated preparation and screening.

He said the intending pilgrims presented by the board are matured for the holy exercise, saying the Commission remains committed to only presenting people with the fear of God.

Adetoye, who scored the FCT Board 95 per cent for well-coordinated screening and preparation, urged the officials to continue to uphold the standard.

“I am happy with the intending pilgrims presented by the board; they are matured. It means that they all know what is good. I have scored them 95 percent,” he said.

One of the intending pilgrims, Mr Christopher Biwa, said the pilgrimage will expose him to the things that Christ went through and improve his Christian life.

“This pilgrimage will afford me the opportunity to physically see the things that I read in the Bible, and what Christ experienced. Seeing the things will strengthen my faith,” he said.