RSG To Review Christian Pilgrimage Sponsorship

Head Customer Service PHED Godwin Ororwiroro (right) exchanging views with Chief Regulating Officer PHED Nancy Abdala during public consultation on PHED Tariff Review in Port Harcourt, yesterday Photo: Nwiueh Donatus Ken

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has hinted that the state government would review qualifications for participation in Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
He made the plans public when he played host to the Executive Secretary of the National Christian Pilgrimage Commission, John Kennedy Okpara in Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Wike said, “We will sponsor those who do not have the means to encourage their spiritual growth.”
The governor disclosed that, “intending pilgrims will be duly screened such that only those that will not give us a bad image and good ambassadors”, will be sponsored.
He hinted that the Rivers State Christian Pilgrims Board will soon be inaugurated, and promised to support pilgirmage in all ramifications since the state is 99 per cent Christian population.
The governor’s remark came after Okpara had disclosed that the commission has introduced lottery to select pilgrims as a result of the new government policy to cut costs in governance.
Okpara further disclosed that government has fixed exchange rate for N379,000 for general while N357,000 for youth pilgrims while others would go on self-sponsorship.
The new pilgrimage policy also includes skills acquisition training in agriculture in partnership with the state of Isreal,  which according to him, “will afford our people the privilege and opportunity to undergo some training and when they come back they can start their own agricultural business.
He said that in addition to that, the exercise would be held four times in the year. This includes the Easter pilgrimage, family pilgrimage which starts from August to September, the youth pilgrimage and the final one for site visits in Rome and Isreal held between October and December.
The National Christian Pilgrims Commission boss lauded Wike for the pragmatic steps he has taken in leading the state since he assumed office on May 29th, and prayed God to continue to guide him in remaining focused and committed to transforming Rivers State.
He, however, invited the governor to participate in this year’s “A Day With Jesus” held annually from 25th of October to pray for the nation and the state.