Pilgrimage: Jonathan leads Nigerian pilgrims in special prayers

President Goodluck Jonathan in Jerusalem on Thursday led other Nigerian pilgrims to Israel in a special prayer for the numerous challenges facing Nigeria.
Leading the intercessory prayer session at the Chapel of Dominous Flevit (where Jesus wept), the President particularly prayed for God’s intervention in the current political and security challenges in Nigeria.
Other pilgrims who led in different prayer points included Governor Jonah Gang of Plateau Stae; the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akin Adesina; the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the Federal Capital Territory, Rev. Israel Akanji; and Hon. Ndudi Elumelu.
The President had earlier visited Mount Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Bascillica of Agony and Mount Zion where he also prayed alongside other pilgrims at the Upper Room (where Jesus had the last supper with His disciples).
Other places visited included David City, The Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, the last place where Jesus was kept a night before he was crucified.
Jonathan and other Nigerian pilgrims also walked down the Palm Sunday Road to the Chapel of Dominous Flevit.
President Jonathan is expected to visit the Jerusalem Old City, The Wailing Wall, Golgotha, Pool of Bethesda and other holy sites in the second day of his pilgrimage.
Eight governors, seven ministers and three members of the National Assembly are part of the entourage to Israel.
The governors are Chief Theodore Orji of Abia State; Anambra’s Peter Obi; Akwa-Ibom’s Chief Godswill Akpabio; Ebonyi’s Chief Martin Elechi, and Delta’s Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.
Others are Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State; Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State and Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State.
The ministers include the supervising Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri; the FCT Minister of State, Olajumoke Akinjide; Minister of Information, Labran Maku; and the Minister of Aviation, Princes Stella Oduah.
Members of the National Assembly in the presidential pilgrimage are Senate Committee Chairman on Power, Senator Philip Aduda and Senator Paul Paulka.
This is the first time a sitting Nigerian president will embark on pilgrimage to Israel and this year recorded the highest number of Nigerian participants.
Jonathan is in Israel on dual purpose, undergoing pilgrimage and state visit where Nigeria would sign a number of agreements with the state of Israel, including the Bilateral Air Service Agreement.