Deputy governor urges christian pilgrims on sacred religious obligation
The Kwara State Government has urged Christians to see pilgrimage exercise as a sacred religious obligation that should be taken very seriously.
The Deputy Governor, Elder Peter Kisira gave the charge yesterday at the valedictory service for prospective pilgrims to this year`s Holy Pilgrimage to the State of Israel, Rome and Greece held at Mount Olive Anglican Church, Ilorin.
Elder Kisira called on Christian faithful to take up the challenge and desire a Holy Pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime adding that the era of apathy and lukewarmness to the sacred religious obligation is gone.
The Deputy Governor noted that participants usually derive enormous physical, spiritual and moral benefits from the journey apart from religious rejuvenation and reawakening which are trademarks of the exercise.
He implored Christians to strive hard to ensure that the benefits of pilgrimage do not elude them by participating in the 2017 exercise.
He equally challenged them to be worthy ambassadors of the State and the Nation while in the Holy Land to portray the Country in good light.
Elder Kisira commended the Management and Staff of the State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board for a job well done stressing that the government would continue to support and empower the board for greater success.
The Deputy Governor also thanked all stakeholders particularly the Christian Association of Nigeria, Church Leaders Conference and other Christian Organisations for their support in ensuring participation and success of the exercise.
In his sermon themed “a pilgrim worthy of emulation” Reverend Bode Amoo of Dominion Life Bible Church, Gaa Akanbi, Ilorin urged the pilgrims to personally study the Bible and pray fervently while in the Holy Land.
Reverend Amoo prayed that the Pilgrims would have a personal encounter with God.
The Leader of Delegation, Reverend Julius Adesina noted that the Pilgrims have been briefed on their role and what to expect at the Holy Land.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board, Anthony Gana-Abu said ninety self sponsored pilgrims would participate in the exercise.
Gana-Abu stated that the Pilgrims going to Rome and Greece would leave the Country this evening while those going directly to Israel and Egypt would leave on the nineteenth of this month.
