Adamawa flags off Christian pilgrimage to Israel, Jordan

The Adamawa State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board has officially flagged off the 2024 pilgrimage for 180 Batch A Christian pilgrims set to visit Jordan and Israel. The pilgrims will spend three days in Jordan before proceeding to Israel for six days.

The orientation and farewell service, held on Friday at the E.Y.N Church, State Low-Cost, Jimeta-Yola, marked a significant milestone in the spiritual journey of the pilgrims. This year’s pilgrimage, initially planned for 2023, was delayed due to the Gaza conflict.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Governor Professor Kaletapwa Farauta urged the pilgrims to be exemplary ambassadors of the state and the nation by conducting themselves with dignity.

She emphasized the importance of the journey as an opportunity to deepen their faith and pray for peace and stability in Nigeria.

“The pilgrimage is not just a physical journey but a spiritual exercise to strengthen your faith and understanding of the Holy Scriptures. I urge you to avoid any distractive behaviors such as abscondment or involvement in illicit activities,” she said.

The Executive Secretary of the board, Geoffrey Garba, who spoke exclusively to the Guardian in a phone interview, highlighted the thorough preparations undertaken for the pilgrimage, which had been ongoing for over a year.

Despite the significant increase in travel costs, from ₦3 million to nearly ₦6 million per pilgrim due to high tariffs, Garba acknowledged the federal government’s subsidy for Christian and Muslim pilgrimages, ensuring affordability for participants.

Garba also disclosed that measures had been put in place to address issues of abscondment, with intelligence reports identifying individuals with such intentions.

“Pilgrims are going to experience firsthand the places they have read about in the Bible. This will not only boost their faith but also influence how they live and share the message of Christ with others,” he said.

The Deputy Governor further encouraged private sponsorships to make the Holy Land experience accessible to more people, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to supporting pilgrimages for both major faiths in the state.

The airlifting of the pilgrims, which began Friday night is set to be a transformative journey, with participants urged to pray for the peace, stability, and prosperity of Nigeria.