Ogene Romanus
About 300 Enugu 2023 easter pilgrims have on Monday, 8th Of May, set off on a religious journey to the Holy Land of Israel and Jordan to deepen their connection with God and pray for a peaceful transition to a new administration of Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and Ifeanyi Ossai.
The National Christian pilgrims Commission (NCPC) through its National Secretary, Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam, applauded the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his consistency with the religious exercise and commitment to the almighty God, during the Enugu Pilgrims orientation and flag off ceremony at Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu.
The Executive Secretary, Enugu State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Barr. Nestor Ezeme, in his opening remark, appreciated Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for being consistent in sponsoring the pilgrimage since he assumed office as well as his great interest in the things of God, revealing that this is the first time one half of the pilgrims are priests and they're are proud and happy to have them in their midst.
"It is only a governor like Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi that could bring this immense joy to his people through this religious exercise and other numerous opportunities and development that Ndi Enugu have enjoyed under his administration"
"Enugu State will continue to remember and celebrate governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his genuine love for his people as Enugu State is rated the most peaceful state under governor Ugwuanyi’s administration and NCPC also honoured him as the Best Pilgrimage Governor in the South East for committing resources to the growth and sustenance of Christian pilgrimage in the country"
"Recall that it is under Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration that Enugu came first among the five states of the South East that sponsored pilgrims" he said.
While describing Governor Ugwuanyi as a friend of the commission, the NCPC Executive Secretary thanked him for his immense contributions and support.
Rev. Dr. Pam equally commended the Executive Secretary, Enugu State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Barr. Nestor Ezeme, for his diligence and the Chairman of the board, Rev. Amb. Emmanuel Ositadinma Edeh for their dedication to duty, stating that Barr. Ezeme is one of the best and most hardworking State Executive Secretaries of the commission in the country.
The NCPC Executive Secretary went further to advise the pilgrims to take precaution and avoid any act that could tarnish the image of the country or the state.
Addressing the jubilant intending pilgrims, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi implored them to be decorous while in the Holy Land and focus on experiencing the teachings in the Bible during and after the life of Jesus Christ.
Pointing out that his administration since its inauguration in 2015 handed over Enugu State to the hands of God, Gov. Ugwuanyi disclosed that “God in His infinite mercy guided the administration and Enugu till date remains the most peaceful state in the country.”
Governor Ugwuanyi further stated that the 300 Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land of Israel and Jordan went there “to give glory to God for His love and mercy for the past eight years” stressing that as a true Christian, his administration has walked the talk.
The governor recalled that the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) in December 2021 conferred the best Pilgrimage Governor Award on him in recognition of his administration’s outstanding performance in enthroning peace in the state, and support for pilgrimages.
Governor Ugwuanyi, who was hailed for his consistency in sponsoring Enugu residents to pilgrimages, further disclosed that his administration sponsored 300 pilgrims to the Holy Land of Israel and Jordan in July 2022, 30 pilgrims to the Holy Land of Rome in October 2022 and another 300 pilgrims to the Holy Land of Israel and Jordan in December 2022.
He said that the current 300 pilgrims are in the Holy Land of Israel and Jordan “to give glory to God for using us as an instrument to change the lives of the citizens through the provision of primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare services to the people of Enugu State; transformation of the education, agricultural and the judiciary sectors, and the revolution in rural infrastructural development, to mention but a few.”
Governor Ugwuanyi used the opportunity to commend the organisers of the religious exercise “for recording zero abscondment during the December 2022 pilgrimage, urging them to put all necessary measures on ground to ensure that all pilgrims return back.
“As you embark on this spiritual exercise, we urge you to pray for our dear state and the incoming government,” he stressed.
While responding to the press, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam, went further to expressed delight at Governor Ugwuanyi’s commitment to the religious exercise since the inception of his administration, adding that the governor’s active involvement in ensuring that Enugu State is the first to start the pilgrimage during each batch is the secret behind the success story of the programme in the country.
Intending pilgrims interviewed by NANI BOI TV expressed their gratitude to the Governor of Enugu State for being a medium that God has used in fulfillment of their lifetime dream visit to the holy land.
The event was graced the by the presence of the Chairman, Enugu State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board and State Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Emmanuel Edeh, Bishop Godwin Madu, Dr. Tony Okam and a host of other dignitaries.
Photo Credit:
NANI BOI STUDIOS
