Lagos State Government, on Saturday night, airlifted 310 intending pilgrims earlier scheduled for the Easter edition of the Holy pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Jordan and Israel.
A statement explained that the pilgrims landed in the Holy Land on Sunday, October 1st, 2023, after a seven-hour flight from the Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja to the Queen Alia International Airport in the Kingdom of Jordan.
Before the Airlifting, the pilgrims had on Saturday, gathered for final administrative and logistic arrangements at the Chapel of Christ The Light, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, where a session of prayers and praises was also observed.
While addressing the intending pilgrims at the Chapel, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Rev. Yakubu Pam, underscored the need for the travellers to dedicate time to intercede for Nigeria as the country celebrates its 63rd independence anniversary.
He also called for special prayer sessions for Nigeria’s President, Senator Bola Tinubu, who, according to him, made the pilgrimage journey possible through his Presidential intervention, following some initial challenges faced by the NCPC, particularly the changes in the Naira-Dollar exchange rates.
He acknowledged the vibrancy of the Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board over the years in holy pilgrimage exercise, saying that Lagos has been encouraging NCPC in the yearly airlifting of Pilgrims even during the COVID period.
On his part, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Christian Religion, Very Rev. Bukola Adeleke, who was optimistic in his remarks at the event, assured the intending pilgrims that Nigeria will be strong and rise again among the comity of nations.
He commended the unfettered support of the State Governor to ensure that those travelling for the pilgrimage exercise with the State, have a worthwhile experience and enjoy first-class treatment in the area of welfare packages provided for them.
The Special Adviser cautioned the pilgrims against converting the journey into a tourism adventure. “Let the attitude of Christ show in you as you embark on this journey”, the Special Adviser pleaded with the pilgrims.
The Executive Secretary of Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mrs. Yetunde Gbafe, also implored the intending pilgrims to adhere to all the instructions earlier given to them and other DOs and DON’Ts contained in the pilgrimage Handbooks.
She told the pilgrims that arrangements have been made by the State Government for Tour Guides who will be responsible for explaining the significance of each of the Biblical sites that would be visited by the pilgrims.
It should be noted that the last batch of this year’s Easter will be airlifted before mid-October, 2023.
