Amaechi Warns Pilgrims Against Misconduct

Christians traveling to the Holy Land for this year’s pilgrimage have been warned against acts that could bring disgrace to themselves,  the state and nation. 

Governor  Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi gave this warning while flagging off the 2010 pilgrimage to Israel for the South-South states at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.

Represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, Governor Amaechi charged them to exhibit exemplary conduct  and warned that any  attempt to defect from the Holy Land would  be a futile exercise as the Israeli security  system would scuttle  such attempt.

The state chief executive appealed to them to use the opportunity of the visit to enhance their christian experience and urged them to be good ambassadors of their respective states.

Earlier, the National Chairman of the Nigerian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) and leader of the Federal Government delegation on the 2010 Christian Pilgrimage, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, commended the state government for sponsoring the highest number of pilgrims and expressed the hope that this effort would be sustained.

Pastor Oritsejafor’ who is also the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN)’ said the pilgrimage would afford Christians the opportunity to know more about their Christian life assuring that everything would be done to make them comfortable while in Israel.

In his speech’ Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims (NCPC)’ Mr John Kennedy Opara’ expressed delight that the state government has continued to maintain a steady lead in sponsoring the highest number of pilgrims in the country.

Also speaking’ Sole Administrator of the State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Monsignor John Wangbu, thanked the state government for its continued support to the board to perform optimally, and disclosed that over 2,300 pilgrims were being sponsored by the Amaechi-led administration to this year’s pilgrimage.

The delegation” which included the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Josephine Anenih’ Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Olufunlola Adekeye, South-South Coordinator of the NCPC, Reverend Robinson Oritsuwa, Secretary to the State Government’ Hon. Magnus Abe, and Reverend Uma Ukpai, among others’ had earlier paid a courtesy visit on the Governor at Government House, Port Harcourt.