Akinjide, Aduda urge Christian pilgrims to pray for Nigeria

The Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, and the Chairman of Senate Committee on Power and Steel, Senator Philip Aduda, on Thursday advised intending Christian pilgrims to pray for Nigeria and its leaders.
They gave the advice at the opening of a two-day pre-departure orientation for 1,000 intending Christian pilgrims organised by the FCT Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board.
Akinjide, who was represented by her Special Assistant on Social Development, Uche Nwafor, urged the pilgrims not to lose focus of the primary essence of the pilgrimage exercise to pray for themselves, the nation and its leaders.
She said: “It is expected that the benefits from the Holy Pilgrimage would have direct impact on your spiritual growth and the country as a whole. I, therefore, charge you to respect the country by exhibiting the highest sense of exemplary conduct while on the Holy Pilgrimage.
“The pre-departure orientation is aimed at preparing you (pilgrims) spiritually, mentally and psychologically before departure to the Holy land, and also to charge you to be good ambassadors of Nigeria while in the Holy Land.”
Akinjide warned the intending pilgrims not to engage in any misconduct, including abscondment during the pilgrimage.
The minister assured the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission and the FCT Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board of the Administration’s support towards improving the spiritual well-being of residents.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Ministerial Delegation for the FCT 2013 Christian Pilgrimage and Senator representing the territory in the National Assembly, Senator Philip Aduda, noted that adequate arrangement had been put in place to ensure a hitch-free pilgrimage operation.
He disclosed that over 1,500 intending Christian pilgrims had been screened from FCT and 1,000 pilgrims certified to undertake this year’s pilgrimage.
“The total number of qualified pilgrims for 2013 pilgrimage is 1,000, covering both November/December 2013 and March/April 2014 editions. The welfare and security arrangements have been concluded prior to this time such as air transport, ground movement in holyland, feeding and accommodation,” Aduda explained.
He added that the airlift of the christian pilgrims from FCT would commence on October 19, 2013.
The pre-departure orientation was attended by Chairman of FCT Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board, Rev. (Dr.) Israel Akanji; the Director of FCT Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board, Dr. Lazarus Gaza; the Abuja Catholic Vicar-General, Rev. (Fr.) Innocent Jooji; Mazi Emmanuel Olugbuo; and Rev. Bob Alonge of the Capital Assembly, Abuja.