Kogi State Government has disclosed that peoples religion is one of the core values of its transformation agenda.
Kogi State Governor, Capt Idris Wada, stated this is in a farewell address to Kogi State Christian Pilgrims on their departure to Israel.
Capt Wada urged the 199 pilgrims to use the rare opportunity the spiritual exercise offers not only to get transformed but on return, become the transformation agent in the overall development of the State.
The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, said Government’s huge financial commitment to Christian yearly pilgrimage is meant to reawaken the faith of Christians and to also equip them with power to improve the lots of humanity, urged the pilgrim’s to display a great sense of responsibility and high moral standard while in the holy land.
Capt Wada appealed to the pilgrims to eschew acts that are capable of tarnishing not only their image and that of their family, but importantly, the image of the State and the nation at large.
Capt Wada while urging the pilgrims to fervently pray for the peace of the State, the nation and the World at large in view of the security threat that is a global challenge called on them to obey all rules and the laws of the holy land to avoid suspicion or breeches.
In a remarks Shaibu Ibrahim Atadoga, President Kogi State Customary Court and Kogi State team leader to this year’s holy land in Israel, said they would strive to maintain Kogi State excellent record of good conduct, assuring that while in the holy land pilgrims would pray for the State and for the present administration.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of Kogi State Christian Pilgrims Commission, Pastor Samuel Egwuda, said a total of 199 pilgrims would be embarking on this year’s pilgrimage from the State
Pastor Egwuda, commended the Kogi State Government for its untiring efforts geared towards spiritual upliftment and rejuvenation of the people, promised that their conduct would reflect the spiritual objectives while in the holy land.
