2024 Christian Pilgrimage: Delta Contingents Officially Depart for Holy Land
The Delta State contingent for the 2024 Christian Pilgrimage, officially departed the state today for onward movement to the holy land of Isreal and Jordan.
Addressing the Pilgrims at the Unity Hall, Government House Asaba, before the departure, the state Governor, the Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, said Delta is a praying state, and had been through thick and thin, and urged the Pilgrims to see themselves as designated intercessors for the state and country.
The Governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu said sponsoring 272 Deltans for the spiritual exercise at a time when the state was also carrying out numerous massive projects across the three senatorial districts, was a huge financial investment demonstrating Government’s commitment to its citizens, hence the Pilgrims should conduct themselves properly throughout the journey and work towards impacting the society with the multiplying effects of their spiritual rebirth and tourism.
He reiterated that the trip was neither a platform to peddle drugs nor an opportunity for absconment for those who had caught the “Japa Syndrome “, as the State had zero Tolerance for absconment.
The Governor said the Whistle Blowing Policy operating in the state was not restricted to bad roads, as every pilgrim on the journey had been designated a whistle blower, even as he urged the pilgrims to report all suspicious activities or movements for appropriate actions, to preserve the image of the state and country.
The State Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Mr Ejiro Etagherure enjoined the Pilgrims to carry themselves with dignity and decorum, as good ambassadors of the state and country.
The Chairman of the Delta State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Senior Apostle Sylvanus Okorotie said the tour to the holy land would last for 10 days, and different sites in Jordan and Isreal would be visited, including Macherus, where John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded, Mount Nebo, galilee and, Bethlehem.
The Executive Secretary, Delta State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Rev. Father Christopher Ekabo said out of the many applications received for the 2024 pilgrimage, 272 persons were selected, after they had successfully gone through the necessary screenings, noting that in the whole of the South South region, only the Delta State Government sponsored its citizens for the 2024 spiritual exercise.
The Permanent Secretary, Delta State Bureau for Special Duties, Prince Gregory Ejohwomu, said measures had been put in place to ensure a hitch free exercise.
Some of the Pilgrims in an interview, expressed gratitude to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for providing the funds to enable them embark on the pilgrimage, and promised to adhere strictly to laid down rules and instructions.
The 272 Pilgrims comprised 172 males and 100 females.
