Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has called on Delta pilgrims to be exemplary representatives of the state during their pilgrimage.
He urged them to uphold integrity, discipline, and the values of the state while on their spiritual journey.
Emphasizing the importance of good conduct, the governor reminded the pilgrims that they carry the image of Delta State and should reflect its commitment to peace, unity, and moral excellence.
Represented by the Commissioner for Bureau of Special Duties, Mr. Etacherure Ejiro Terry, the governor delivered this charge during a one-day orientation seminar held at the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Secretariat in Asaba for the 2024, Christian pilgrimage.
“I am honored to stand before you today as we finalize arrangements
for your journey to the Holy Land. This pilgrimage is once in a lifetime opportunity to walk in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“To experience the holy sites where he lived. Where our Savior lived.
Where he stepped on. Where he performed miracles. And is still the same God today. Where he preached sacrifice for our salvation.
“As for you, prepared to depart,
I ask you to approach this journey
with reverence, humility, and an open heart. May you be deeply involved by spiritual significance of the places you will visit.
“And may your faith be strengthened by the experience as this pilgrimage is not just a physical journey, but also a spiritual journey.
“I commend the Nigeria Christian Pilgrimage Commission, NCPC, and the Delta States Christian Pilgrimage Welfare Board, for tireless efforts in organizing this pilgrimage.
“For tireless efforts in organizing this pilgrimage. As you embark on this sacred journey, remember you are ambassadors of Christ and the Delta States government. And by the extension, we are ambassadors of the Moor agenda.
The world will be looking at us.
We must therefore display the spirit of Christ. I tell people every time, it’s important to send a note of warning that there will be security personnel in all the journey to mitigate attempts at us to abscond.
“So please, don’t even attempt what you cannot finish, it’s not Nigeria where you can escape, there are security everywhere considering what is happening over there, the security has put together a team of operational staffs to ensure we have an inch free pilgrimage.
“Please listen to them, whatever instruction they pass to us, please , listen to them, let’s adhere, don’t undermine them, don’t underrate them”, he said.
During the orientation program, the Chairman of the Delta State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Senior Apostle Sylvanus Okorote, revealed that the cost for each intending pilgrim to embark on the holy pilgrimage to Jordan and Israel exceeds five million Naira.
He explained that the Delta State Government is sponsoring each of the 250 pilgrims with three million Naira, along with a travel allowance of N750,000, while the Federal Government is providing a subsidy of two million Naira per pilgrim.
Apostle Okorote urged the pilgrims to be exemplary representatives of both the state and the nation, cautioning them against any actions that could tarnish Nigeria’s image.
He emphasized that the pilgrimage is a sacred opportunity for participants to pray for themselves, their families, Delta State, and the country as a whole.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Delta State, Reverend Lucky Osagbaikhoe, expressed deep appreciation to both the state and federal governments for their substantial financial commitment to the pilgrimage.
He encouraged the pilgrims to seize the opportunity to seek divine intervention in addressing the nation’s ongoing economic and security challenges.
