President Bola Tinubu has officially launched the 2024 main Christian pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan, marking the start of the airlift of pilgrims from Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State on Sunday.
This was announced in a statement by Celestine Toruka, Deputy Director and Head of Media and Public Relations, shared on the Commission’s official X handle, #NGChrisPilgComm, on Monday.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, President Tinubu urged the pilgrims to view their journey as an opportunity to strengthen their faith in God. He highlighted that the theme of the 2024 pilgrimage, “Pilgrimage of Renewed Hope for Total Restoration,” aligns with the vision and goals of his administration.
The president also cautioned pilgrims against absconding during their time in the Holy Land, emphasizing that there is no place better than home. He encouraged them to pray for the progress of Lagos State and Nigeria.
The statement read, “The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT, flagged off the 2024 main Christian pilgrimage exercise to Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on 22nd December 2024 at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume @SGFAkume, Mr. President emphasized the power of prayer and the sanctity of religion. He urged the intending Christian pilgrims to see their pilgrimage as a chance to deepen their faith in God.
He reiterated that the theme of the 2024 NCPC main pilgrimage, ‘Pilgrimage of Renewed Hope for Total Restoration,’ is apt as it aligns with the vision and agenda of his administration.
He urged the intending pilgrims to pray for the progress of Nigeria, Lagos State, and their families. Mr. President also admonished them not to abscond in the Holy Land, stating that Nigeria is their fatherland and that there is no place better than home.”
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the NCPC, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, in his welcome address, noted that this marked his first pilgrimage exercise since becoming the fourth substantive Secretary of the Commission. He acknowledged the challenges since assuming office on February 5, 2024, but reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensuring the smooth conduct of pilgrimages to holy sites worldwide, in line with the NCPC 2007 enabling Act of the National Assembly.
Bishop Adegbite encouraged the intending pilgrims to exhibit exemplary behavior, describing the pilgrimage as a time for humility, piety, and decorum. He also assured them of excellent services provided by the Commission’s service providers.
The statement further noted, “He warned against absconding, stressing that the Commission strongly frowns upon such behavior. ‘The Commission under my watch seriously frowns upon it, and whoever is found culpable will face the consequences, including their guarantors, whose names, along with those of the absconders, will be blacklisted and published in national newspapers.’
He thanked Mr. President for creating an enabling environment for pilgrimages to thrive in Nigeria and for his unprecedented support of the Commission.
The first batch of 260 intending pilgrims from Lagos State for the 2024 main pilgrimage was airlifted, along with 350 officials and pilgrims on the flight.”
