Middle East: Conference of State Pilgrims Chairmen hail ceasefire agreement

This handout picture released by the Israeli Government Press Office (GPO) shows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (6-L), heading a security cabinet meeting to vote on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal that took effect on January 19, in Jerusalem on January 17, 2025. The agreement has halt fighting and bombardment in Gaza’s deadliest-ever war and the release of dozens of hostages held in the territory since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. (Photo by Koby Gideon / GPO / AFP) / Israel

The Conference of Chairmen and Secretaries of State Pilgrims Welfare Boards/Commissions has expressed delight over the ceasefire agreement in the Middle East.

National Secretary of the Conference of State Pilgrims, Deacon Simeon Onakpa, who also serves as the Kogi State Secretary of the Christian Pilgrims Commission, shared his excitement on behalf of his colleagues during a chat with The Guardian in his Lokoja office yesterday.

Deacon Onakpa said, “The situation in the Middle East since 2023 has been a serious concern to us Nigerian Christians, and it is a thing of joy that we are noticing a ceasefire across the region once again.

“With peace gradually returning to the Middle East, it has made another peaceful pilgrimage possible, beginning with the Lagos contingent who left the shores of Nigeria for Israel and Jordan on 22nd December 2024 with 300 pilgrims.

“After Lagos, the FCT followed with over 200 pilgrims. As I speak to you, Plateau State is in Israel with 300 pilgrims and will be returning soon. As they return, other states will also take their turn.”

Deacon Onakpa noted that despite the tense security situation in the Middle East since 2023, Nigerian Christian faithful have not stopped embarking on pilgrimages to the troubled region. Remarkably, there has been no record of casualties or cases of defection among Nigerian pilgrims.

“In spite of the war situation in Israel and the Middle East, the agitations and demands by Christian faithful to go on pilgrimage are increasing. This shows how much people trust their God even in war situations.

“This is because we are people of faith. If you ask me, I will say we have seen the grace of God in the pilgrimage activities so far. We have to give God the glory for His intervention. You know when God is involved in any process, no matter how strong the challenges are, that settles it.

“So, the peaceful process you are witnessing so far is the result of consistent prayers by all the chairmen and secretaries of state pilgrims.

“All the chairmen and secretaries of state pilgrims have been in prayers, asking for peace in the Middle East so that our assignment will not suffer. The pilgrimage activities within the last one month have been God’s answers to all our prayers.”