…as Gov Ugwuanyi urges pilgrims to pray for peaceful transition of power in 2023
.NCPC boss warns against abscondment, praises President Buhari, SGF for constant support
Tom Garba, Enugu
Three hundred intending pilgrims sponsored by the Enugu State Government are set to leave for Israel today for the Holy pilgrimage.
Nigeria Christians Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) officials in Enugu, who supervised the exercise, on Friday, were full of praises for Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Gburus) for allowing many of them to travel for great spiritual awakening.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi addressed the intending pilgrims at De Dome Events Centre, New Heaven in Enugu, on Friday, urging them to pray for Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, leaders at all levels, and a peaceful transition of power as the 2023 general elections are by the corner.
Ifeanyi told the cheering crowds that Enugu State is in the hands of God and they should continue to seek God’s mercy anywhere they go.
According to him, the state since its inception in 2015, continues to see the hands of God in all they do; a reason every year they sponsor people for spiritual exercise within the limit of the state’s resources, irrespective of their denominations.
“This is usually an opportunity for Christians faithful to indulge in quiet times to pray for the state and their families,” Ugwuanyi said
Governor Ugwuanyi said NCPC had given an award to the government of Enugu as the best state in the sponsorship of Christian pilgrims, which he dedicated to the body of Christ and called on them to record zero abscondment in order to replicate the gesture.
He added, “We need to protect our reputation as responsible people and I pray you will be good ambassadors for the state, and exhibit a high sense of decency and decorum while in the Holy Land.
” Pray for Nigeria, Pray for the President, Muhammadu Buhari, all Governors for the 36 States, members of national assembly, all Local Government chairmen, and indeed all those in authority in our country whom God has anointed to manage our affairs.
“Please pray for God’s intervention in the affairs of our nation, especially the aspect of security and the economic hardship of our nation, pray for 2023 general elections for a successful transition, pray for more love and tolerant among Nigerians and pray for the full restoration of peace, Unity, and Progress. Most importantly may you truly encounter God through the holy spirit in this Journey.”
On the national inauguration of the December 2022 Christian pilgrimage under the state’s holy pilgrims sponsorship arrangement, Rev Dr. Pam Yakubu, the NCPC Executive Secretary said the pilgrims will be visiting Israel and Jordan.
Rev Pam while appreciating President Muhammadu Buhari and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha Gidahyel, GCF for their constant support to the commission, also warned the intending pilgrims against any attempt to abscond as “security agents are very much on ground to arrest anyone.”
Pam also appreciated Governor Ifeanyi for his passion to see the faith of Enugu Christians grow higher.
“Sir, God who has given you this wisdom, He will never abandon you,” Pam said.
He, however, said the commission, despite passing through tough times, God’s Grace was sufficient to make them overcome all challenges.
For pilgrims like Egwu Francis, who is full of joy for having an opportunity to travel out of the country to the Holy Land of Israel, it’s going to be time for him to activate his prayer lines as a Christian to have a spiritual upliftment, and pray for the state, Nigeria for God’s hands of intervention, to save the country in dire need of help.
