Pilgrimage not tourism, but call to spiritual renewal, national transformation – NCPC Board Chairman, Rt. Rev. Prof. Gotan

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The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has successfully held the Jerusalem Pilgrim (JP) ceremony and certificate award for the second batch of Christian pilgrims participating in the 2025 Main Pilgrimage to Jordan and Israel.

In a keynote address, the Chairman of NCPC, Rt. Rev. Prof. Monsignor Cletus Gotan, charged the pilgrims to see the pilgrimage beyond a tourist exercise, describing it as a sacred journey of spiritual renewal, conversion, and mission with direct implications for national transformation.

This was contained in a statement from Israel by Kande Ibrahim of NCPC Media and Public Relations unit.

He emphasized that while certificates were being presented, the true evidence of pilgrimage lies in the inner transformation God has begun in the hearts of the pilgrims.
Prof. Gotan stressed that Nigeria needs returning pilgrims, not sightseers, whose faith is deepened, conscience sharpened, and love enlarged for God and country. Drawing lessons from holy sites such as Bethlehem, Nazareth, the Jordan River, Calvary, and the Empty Tomb, he urged pilgrims to renew their baptismal promises, embrace forgiveness, and sustain hope despite challenges such as insecurity, poverty, and corruption.

He commended the pilgrims for their discipline and exemplary conduct throughout the exercise, noting the drastic reduction in cases of abscondment as evidence of growing spiritual maturity, national responsibility, and trust in the pilgrimage process.

The Chairman expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, as well as relevant arms of government for their consistent support and commitment to the spiritual welfare of Nigerian Christians.

He also acknowledged the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, other state governors, and their deputies for facilitating the participation of pilgrims from their respective states.

He further commended Skyrise Travel Agency, the official ground handler for the pilgrimage and NCPC officials for ensuring a smooth, orderly, and successful exercise.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Nigeria in Israel, Mr. Ode Ikwe, commended the Nigerian pilgrims for their peaceful conduct and reaffirmed the strong bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Israel, while wishing the pilgrims safe journeys and lasting spiritual benefits.

The ceremony climaxed with the presentation of Certificates of Participation to the pilgrims, prayers for peace in Israel, Nigeria, and the entire world, and a charge to the pilgrims to return home renewed, committed, and ready to bear fruit that will endure.