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Olabode Adaramola, Niger State
No fewer than about 171 pilgrims from Niger State will be airlifted from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport to perform pilgrimage in the Holy Land in January this year starting from Thursday, January 2nd , 2020.
National Wire’s investigation gathered, that the state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello is sponsoring only 31 Christians for the pilgrimage.
Leader of the state’s Christian Pilgrims delegation to this year’s pilgrimage, Pastor Yerima El’Yakim Samaila said on Wednesday at the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) Secretariat, David Mark road, Minna, during the orientation of intending pilgrims that 17 persons were denied visas to the Holy land.
He encouraged private individuals to participate and also sponsor persons to participate in the spiritual exercise.
In his exhortation, the State’s Chairman, Christians Association of Nigeria ( CAN) Rev. (Dr.) Mathias Echioda said pilgrimage is very important for every Christian, adding that “the spiritual exercise is very important, we need to strengthen our faith.”
Acting Director, Christians Department, Niger state Pilgrimage Welfare Board, Joanna Pada, while admonishing intending pilgrims to remain disciplined warned that, “nobody should try to abscond because it brings embarrassment to Nigeria as a country”.
She added that “as part of our responsibilities to monitor the activities of pilgrims, we met and brainstormed to ensure that adequate arrangement are made in terms of transportation, feeding and accommodation.
Furthermore, she said the welfare and state of health of pilgrims are paramount as intending pilgrims would visit various religious sites.
