Pilgrimage, sacred religious obligation – Kwara

The Kwara State Government has urged Christians to see pilgrimage as a sacred religious obligation that should be taken very seriously.
The State Deputy Governor, Elder Peter Kisira, gave the charge on Saturday 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.
Elder Kisira congratulated the prospective pilgrims for their commitment and investment, praying that the Lord would meet them at their point of needs.
The Deputy Governor charged the pilgrims to be spiritually alive while in the Holy land, pay good attention, participate effectively and pray fervently for the exercise to have the desired meaning in their life.
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.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the State’s Christian Association of Nigeria, Evangelist Timothy Opoola, charged the pilgrims to pray for the peace of the Nation while in the Holy Land.
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.
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 90 self sponsored Pilgrims would participate in the exercise.
Gana-Abu stated that ‎the pilgrims going to Rome and Greece would leave the country on Saturday evening, while those going directly to Israel and Egypt would leave on December 19.