The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, yesterday urged 290 pilgrims departing the territory for Jordan and Israel to remember that a holy pilgrimage is neither a jamboree nor tourism.
She said a holy pilgrimage should be a spiritual call to strengthen one’s faith and to attain a new level of spirituality and responsibility.
Mahmoud spoke at the pre-departure orientation programme for the 2023/2024 main pilgrimage from the FCT.
The minister explained that the counselling was meant to prepare the pilgrims mentally and psychologically on the significance of Christian pilgrimage as well as to allay their fears on what to expect and what not to expect in the holy lands.
She said the counselling was also a demonstration of Federal Government’s commitment and reassurance to the pilgrims that the government was fulfilling its obligation.
Reminding the pilgrims that their journey to the holy lands was a religious practice with unquantifiable blessing, Dr. Mahmoud also advised them to pray for the nation and its leadership at all levels for peace, progress, growth and development.
Mahmoud urged the pilgrims to respect the laws of the host nations.
She also charged the intending pilgrims to pray for Nigeria and the leaders during the pilgrimage. She also told them to be ambassadors of Nigeria and to stay away from any misconduct that would be capable of showing Nigeria in a bad light.
“I believe that through our collective prayers, God will continue to lead our country to greatness. While in the holy lands, remember you have responsibility”, she said.
The minister hailed the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) under the leadership of Bishop Stephen Adegbite for its giant strides in coordinating the Christian pilgrimage nationwide over the years.
Mahmoud assured them that the FCT Administration remained committed to sustaining the mutual relationship between her and the commission.
She said FCTA would continue to support the activities of the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board for spiritual transformation and wellbeing of the residents.
The Director of FCT Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Gloria Dandam, said the pilgrimage was meant to take the pilgrims to holy sites and strengthen their relationship with God as well as bring them closer to the eternal message of peace, love, and hope.
She assured that experts from various areas had been carefully selected to equip pilgrims with the essential tips that would help them during the sacred journey.
Dandam especially thanked the FCT Administration, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and Dr. Mahmoud for their continued support for the pilgrims’ board’s activities.
