The Executive Secretary of Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam described Gov. Ifeayi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State as "the masses' Governor" during the December 2022 Christian Pilgrimage Flag-Off Ceremony in Enugu on Friday, commending his dedication to building faith of his people in the state through his administration’s constant sponsorship of indigenes to the Holy Lands of Israel and Jordan.
While appreciating Governor Ugwuanyi’s commitment to the religious exercise and its positive impact on the people of Enugu State, the Executive Secretary stated that the governor has demonstrated “dedication of faith to your people,” adding: “It is not every governor that will realise the blessings behind building the faith of their people.
Amidst excitement, Rev. Pam gladly opined thus; “I want to say from the bottom of my heart, this God who has given you this wisdom, never in this life will he ever abandon you. He will always be with you and keep you.”
In his heartwarming opening remark, the Executive Secretary, Enugu State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Barr. Nestor Ezeme, stated that the beneficiaries, comprising professors, doctors, teachers, tricycle (Keke) riders, market women and other people from all walks of life and different Christian denominations in Enugu State, were grateful to him and will show further appreciation when they return. pointing out that Governor Ugwuanyi has remained consistent in sponsoring Christian pilgrims to the Holy Lands of Israel and Jordan in spite of the state’s limited resources which has gained him a prestigious honor "The Best Pilgrimage Governor in the South East Nigeria" in 2021 by NCPC. Reassuring His Excellency that they all resolved to be good ambassadors of Enugu State in Israel and Jordan and will not do anything to undermine the integrity of Enugu State.
The Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi welcomed the Executive Secretary of NCPC to Enugu State, while acknowledging with deep sense of appreciation, the award of the ‘Best Pilgrimage Governor in the South East Nigeria’ conferred on him last year by NCPC. He enjoined the pilgrims to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari, all the governors of the 36 states of Nigeria “and indeed all those in authority in the country whom God has anointed to manage our affairs.”
Urging the pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state, and to exhibit high sense of decency and decorum while in the Holy Land, the governor beseeched God to grant them “His journey mercies to the Holy Land where God has revealed himself”, saying: “Most importantly, may you truly encounter God through the Holy Spirit on this journey, He urged them to pray for God’s intervention in the affairs of Nigeria, especially the ravaging insecurity and economic hardship; pray for a peaceful 2023 general election and a successful transition; pray for more love and tolerance among Nigerians as a new paradigm that will underpin the full restoration of peace, unity and progress.
Gov. Ugwuanyi went further to state that 300 Christian Pilgrims will be airlifted to the Holy Lands of Israel and Jordan sponsored by the state. "I urge our Pilgrim Managers to ensure zero abscondment of our Pilgrims as we need to protect our reputation as responsible and honest people, “Our effort in this regard was acknowledged by the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission on 21st December, 2021 with the conferment of the award of the ‘Best Pilgrimage Governor in the South East Nigeria’ on my humble self, an award I dedicated to the Body of Christ in the state whose prayers have kept us going" His Excellency concluded.
Other important personalities present at the flag-off ceremony include the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Augustine Nnamani, the Member representing Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency, Hon. Prince Cornelius Nnaji, Chairman, Enugu State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board and State Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Emmanuel Edeh and the President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Enugu State Chapter, Prof. Fred Eze.
However, FountainCare Reporters gathered that of the 300 Pilgrims who were airlifted for the December 2022 Christian Pilgrimage; Two Hundred and Twenty-seven (227) are to visit the Holy Lands of Israel and Jordan, while Seventy-three (73) will be visiting the holy sites in the Land of Jordan.
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