FG Wants Positive Change From Xtian Pilgrims

The Federal Government says it wants to experience a positive change in the lives of pilgrims that would perform the forthcoming pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua said this while declaring-open the 2009 Pre-Pilgrimage Retreat organised by the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Capital.
President Yar’Adua who was represented by his Senior Special Adviser, Mrs. Moremi Osijola explained that the main purpose of pilgrimage was to bring the participants close to God through their visits, prayers and fasting, pointing out that government wants to witness a situation where states would return after the pilgrimage rejoicing.
He urged delegates at the retreat to take it seriously and ensure they went back home with more knowledge and vitality that would be memorable in their lives as Christians.
Also speaking, the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru stressed the need for the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission to ensure that all pilgrims to the holy land be good ambassadors of the nation.
Describing the retreat as apt, the state chief executive said government’s commitment to the welfare of Christian pilgrims and their Muslim counterparts was based on the belief that “we all worship the same God”, pointing out that there is a linkage between one’s place of birth and the religion.
“Where you are born determines your religious affiliation and there is a linkage between where you are born and the religion there”, he affirmed.
In his speech, the Chairman, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, His Grace, Nicholas Okoh explained that the commission is in a process of redirecting pilgrimage to face the reality and make our people witness a profound spiritual renewal that would justify the financial commitments of the various states and federal governments.
According to him, “we want to ensure that we use pilgrimage to steer the ship of the country and also use it to develop the country socially, religiously, politically and economically” and warned those without true spiritual interest to keep clear the exercise.
Earlier in a welcome address, the executive secretary of the commission, Mr. John Kennedy Opara thanked the Rivers State government for its support to the commission and being the sponsor of the highest number of pilgrims in the country, describing the Governor. Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as God-sent to deliver Rivers State.