Christian Pilgrimage: Gov Lalong urges Christians to pray for Nigeria

The Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong has urged Christian Pilgrimage to pray for the peace and progress of the country while in the Holy land. Governor Lalong made the call in Abuja, when he paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Uja Tor Uja, reiterating the need for Church leaders to take up the gauntlet in convincing their well-to-do members to sponsor other members on pilgrimages. He said: “our churches need to take the gauntlet and convince the rich in our churches to spend some of their money to sponsor other spiritually inclined but poor members to attend the pilgrimage; if we begin to encourage this, it will have positive impacts on our society. “Christians in Nigeria are in disarray, because of denominational problems. Let’s not forget that when there’s tolerance, there’s peace. When most Christians visit the holy land, they will better understand; living as one in the body of Christ”. The Governor also called on members of the public to take advantage of pilgrimage as it was both spiritually and morally rewarding giving the opportunity to have time to seek the face of God. He said for the people of Plateau State, it is an opportunity to pray for the lasting peace and unity of the State saying; “It is necessary for the people of Plateau state to go and pray for lasting peace and progress of the state, that’s why we sponsored 1700 pilgrims so that they can learn to tolerate each other and pray for a rancour free elections”. He commended the Executive Secretary Uja on the various innovations he has introduced to Christian pilgrimage in the country. In his earlier remarks, Uja stressed that the 2019 elections should be rancour free, based and void of foul language advising politicians to take up their campaigns with integrity and show respect for other candidates. The Executive Secretary noted that the commission would organise pilgrimage prayers in Jerusalem and in Nigeria this month for the general elections maintaining that the commission is working to ensure a more effective Christian Pilgrimage. He pointed that pilgrimage should go beyond visiting sites, but to inculcate leadership principles and promote productive development. Tom Okpe, Abuja