Delta state commended for encouraging pilgrims
Delta state pilgrims had been airlifted to Rome with the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) commending the state government for its efforts in encouraging Christians to deepen their faith.
Mr Martin Ogunmola, Secretary Pilgrimages, Congresses and Synods of the Catholic Church of Nigeria gave the commendation while addressing the pilgrims at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja before they were airlifted through Turkish Airline.
According to Mr Ogunmola, “Delta and Rivers States are the most consistent Catholic Pilgrims over the years and we pray for the governments in Jesus name. Amen.”
“Not one person has defected from Delta State which is a big applause and no one has had any reason to stay back,” he disclosed while Rev. Fr. Samjumi Zachariah, Deputy Secretary General, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria thanked the pilgrims for their patience and apologized for the delay in the trip.
He emphasized, “on behalf of the Catholic Secretariat, we want to apologize for the delay and thank you for the patience; the importance of pilgrimage cannot be overemphasized, it is to deepen our faith.”
“Everything we are going to do, will be geared towards deepening our faith and we must stick to the rules because, they are for the good of all of us,” the Priest said, adding, “we are praying that it will be successful but, let us cooperate and do things together; we are not afraid, we are confident of pilgrims from Delta State and on behalf of the Catholic Secretariat, I want to wish you a successful pilgrimage.”
The Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Barr. Ernest Ogwezzy in a brief speech, asserted, “we thank our Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for giving approval and following it up with release of funds to finance the pilgrimage despite the harsh effects of the economic recession facing the country; pilgrims from Delta State are men of integrity and they will use the pilgrimage to deepen their faith.”
“We thank the CSN for their efforts in making us actualise attend the pilgrimage and I also want to state that men and women who are pilgrims from Delta State billed for today’s pilgrimage are people of impeccable character,” he said, adding, “I want to assure you and the Catholic Mission that Delta pilgrims shall prove themselves as good ambassadors of Delta State and we will not do anything to tarnish the image of our state; I am confident that nobody will abscond.”
The Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Marshal Umukoro is among those on the trip.
