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A cross section of the pilgrims at the departure ceremony in Abuja Monday
By Anthony Maliki
The official flag off of the second batch of Christian pilgrims to the Kingdom of Jordan was performed on Monday evening at the Pilgrims Wing, General Aviation Terminal I of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Pilgrims from Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Ekiti and Akwa Ibom states as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), departed with the Jordan Aviation flight to Amman, Jordan.
There were special prayers for different aspects for Nigeria and leaders, goodwill messages and spiritually-uplifting songs and praises.
The first of pilgrims mostly from Plateau State, left through the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Heipang, Jos on Saturday.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. (Dr.) Yakubu Pam said 2500 pilgrims would perform the 2020 pilgrimage to Jordan out of which 300 are self-sponsored.
He said all the pilgrims performing the exercise have been vaccinated for COVID-19 with all other medical measures in place in Jordan to ensure the welfare of the pilgrims.
According to him, Jordan has 70 Holy sites which the pilgrims will visit and pray at most of them in the eight days exercise.
Rev. Pam hoped the Israeli Government would open its borders this year for the commencement of pilgrimage by this year.
Earlier, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammed Musa Bello represented by the Permanent Secretary of the FCTA, Mr. Olusade Adesola urged the pilgrims not to take the exercise as tourism but a religious obligation and pray for the country.
He said the pilgrimage should be seen as avenue to rediscover themselves and change their character upon return.
The theme of this year’s exercise is “Pilgrimage for Peace and Development.”
