By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh.
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has advised the state’s intending pilgrims to act as good ambassadors of the state and conduct themselves in a manner that will bring honor to God while in Jordan and Israel.
In a statement issued by the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Mr Unubi Emmanuel, the governor made the remarks during the one-day orientation seminar for the year 2023/2024 Christians Pilgrimage organized by the Kogi State Christian Pilgrims Commission at the government house in Lokoja on Tuesday.
Represented by his Deputy, Comrade Joel Salifu, the governor emphasized that Christian Holy pilgrimage is a spiritual journey and should not be treated as a mere spectacle or festivity.
He urged the intending pilgrims to refrain from any thoughts of defection or absconding while in the holy land, and to avoid engaging in any unholy activities. He emphasized that their every action, movement, and interaction with fellow pilgrims is being observed closely.
Governor Ododo highlighted the importance of the seminar in preparing the minds of the intending pilgrims for their significant journey to the holy land. He encouraged them to pray and seek God’s guidance for the restoration of the nation’s lost glory and the church of God when they reach Israel.
As they prepare to depart, he prayed for God’s intervention in all their endeavors during their time in the holy land.
The Executive Chairman of the Kogi Christian Pilgrimage Commission, Chief Christopher Ayo Olubunmi, pointed out the uniqueness of the Christian pilgrimage as the first experience after the ceasefire agreement between Israel and other warring nations. He mentioned that the pilgrimage was initially scheduled for October 2023 but was postponed due to the conflict in Israel.
He commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for sponsoring a few Christians on pilgrimage while he was a civil servant and expressed confidence that now, as the Governor, he would sponsor hundreds of Christians on the annual Christian Pilgrimage to Israel.
Highlight of the meeting was the decoration of the Governor and Deputy as the first and second pilgrimage ambassadors in Kogi State by the Secretary of the Christian Pilgrimage Commission, Hon. Simeon Onakpa.
This seminar marked the farewell of Kogi State Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo to the state’s intending pilgrims, showcasing his dedication to their safety and well-being during their time in Israel. It also underlined the current administration’s commitment to sponsoring Christians on the pilgrimage to the holy land where Jesus, the epitome of virtue, lived and performed miracles, healing, and deliverances, while also interceding for the state and the nation.
