The first batch of Lagos State Christian pilgrims returned safely to Lagos on January 1, 2025, around 10:00pm following a successful pilgrimage exercise to Israel and Jordan.
At the welcome ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission expressed his joy at the exercise’s success, noting that the journey began and ended in joy. He hoped other states would follow suit.
He said: “We thank God for the safe landing of our people who went to the Holy Land, we thank God for bringing them back, and they arrived on the first day of the first month in 2025, they have brought blessings into the country.
“They have prayed for 10-days, and we pray that all their prayers will be answered, we pray that they will be good ambassadors for the country.
We also use this medium tho appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and His Excellency Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for their immense support through the pilgrimage journey, we pray that all their plans and reforms result to great and huge success.” he said.
Special Adviser on Christian Religious Matters, Very Revd Adebukola Adeleke, and Bishop Akinpelu Johnson, Chairman of the Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, also expressed gratitude to God for journey mercies.
The Lagos State Board Secretary, Mrs. Yetunde Gbafe, thanked God for the hitch-free exercise and acknowledged improvements at the Jordan-Israel border, appreciating the NCPC, ground handlers, and Nigerian Embassy’s intervention.
NCPC boss urges pilgrims to pray for President Buhari in holy land
Read Also: Adegbite tasks Christian pilgrims on good conduct
She further announced that the second batch of Lagos pilgrims will depart soon.
“The hitch-free exercise is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the NCPC, ground handlers, and the Nigerian Embassy. We thank God for the improvements at the Jordan-Israel border, and we look forward to the departure of the second batch of Lagos pilgrims.”
The newly inducted Jerusalem Pilgrims (JPs) expressed satisfaction with the spiritually rejuvenating exercise and top-notch welfare provided by the Lagos State Government.
Revd Dr. Stephen O. Bolarinwa (JP), one of the newly inductees expressed his gratitude to God and appreciation to the Lagos State Government, he noted that the induction was not just an honor but also a call to greater service and responsibility.
“I am deeply grateful to God , the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Lagos State Government, Hon. Emmanuel Olotu and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ojokoro LCDA Chapter for giving me this platform that i am riding upon, this induction is not merely a recognition but a profound call to greater service and responsibility.
It was a great experience to visit various Biblical sites, pray and personally for me I feel honoured to be Baptisted in the river Jordan where my Lord Jesus was also baptised.” he said.
