Pam stated this while flagging off the national screening exercise for the 2020 Christian pilgrimage exercise to Israel for intending Pilgrims on Wednesday 25th November 2020, at Redeemed Christian Church of Christ, Province 3 headquarters, Asaba.
He said that he was excited at the standard of the Asaba airport, adding that the commission has concluded arrangement to ensure that pilgrims would from henceforth commence airlift from Asaba.
“Delta state has a set Airport, apart from Abuja and Lagos, I have not seen any other airport in the country like that of Asaba.
“We have discussed with our air carriers, and they have agreed to airlift people from Asaba airport. When I came in today, I saw that the airport is of international standard”, he said.
He said that the benefits of pilgrimage were enormous; it enables pilgrims develop good relationship with God, learn about the peace and security programmes and the agriculture of the people for nation building.
He said that the commission has put all modalities in place and working with relevant agencies to ensure that the year’s screening of pilgrims was through to check absconders and to prevent sick persons from embarking on the trip.
According to him, the commission is working with the Federal Government Committee and the relevant agencies and Israel in line with the coronavirus (COVID-19) guidelines.
“I have come here to flag off the national screening process for pilgrims to the Holy land: Israel, Rome and Greece, here in Asaba, Delta.
“I want to appreciate Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa for his interest in the kingdom of God and for doing what other governors could not do even in the mixed of the pandemic.
“For those who will be successful after the screening, your first priority will be for you to pray for the president, your governor and for our country.
“Pilgrimage is for Christians who want to build their faith in the Lord, some people do not go for prayers, some have turned it to a business trip while some take it as escape route.
“We are working with the immigration, customs, security agencies among others to stop those who plan to abscond and if any of you abscond, you will not escape because you will be putting your sureties in trouble.
“You must be physically sound to embark on the trip, we are in a pandemic period, COVID-19 is ravaging the whole world, so, don’t’ joke with your health; we have seen some die in pilgrimages and we don’t want this to happen again,” he said.
Pam disclosed that the commission would commence a three days lecture series to properly equip the successful pilgrims after the screening exercise nationwide.
On his part, Arch Bishop, Cyril Odutemu, Delta State Pilgrim Welfare Board, assured that the screening would be through to ensure that nobody absconds.
“This is not business as usual, the last pilgrimage, three persons absconded but we have put measures in place to ensure nobody absconds besides, the governor has assured that if they all return, he would increase the number next for year’s pilgrimage.
Also, Rev. Fr. Christopher Ekabo, Member, Delta Pilgrim Welfare Board, said that the board had ensured that those screened were all new applicants.
He disclosed that the board also ensured that private individuals were not allowed to participate in the year’s pilgrimage screening exercise.
“The governor gave matching order to the board that none of those who have travelled before should be given opportunity, this is to make it possible for others, particularly the less privilege Christians in the state to travel.
“We have discovered that those who abscond are the self sponsored pilgrims, so, this year we are allowing zero private sponsorship. So, we accept only government sponsored pilgrims.
In an interview, an intending pilgrim, Mrs. Gloria Ebegbulem, after being screened expressed joy as a first timer and pledge to abide by all rules and regulations of the commission if she emerges successful.
