OWERRI — President Bola Tinubu has cautioned Nigerian Christians embarking on pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan against absconding, insisting “there is no country like Nigeria.” He delivered the message through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who represented him at the official flag-off of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) delayed Easter pilgrimage at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri.
Tinubu underscored pilgrimage as a spiritual journey of faith, urging participants to uphold discipline and serve as ambassadors of both Christ and Nigeria. He commended NCPC Executive Secretary Bishop Stephen Adegbite for “innovative leadership,” noting the successful conduct of four pilgrimages under his watch, and praised Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma for sustained support—sponsoring 1,000 pilgrims in 2023 and another 1,000 in 2025.
A statement by Celestine Toruka, Head of Media and Public Relations at NCPC, quoted the President: “You should not contemplate abscondment in your minds because there is no country like Nigeria.”
Governor Uzodimma, welcoming the airlift from Owerri, urged pilgrims to “carry Nigeria at heart,” praying for peace and for “additional and incremental wisdom” for the President. Abia State Governor Alex Oti, represented by Chief of Staff Pastor Caleb Ajagba, congratulated the faithful and described pilgrimage as a journey of spiritual rebirth.
Bishop Adegbite thanked the President and Governor Uzodimma for their support and appealed to intending pilgrims to maintain exemplary conduct throughout the exercise. He also acknowledged the SGF’s effective supervisory role over the Commission.
In a first for Christian pilgrimage operations in Imo State, about 350 intending pilgrims from Imo and Abia were airlifted from Owerri to the Holy Land. NCPC officials said additional flights would follow, while reiterating compliance with host-country rules and NCPC guidelines on welfare, safety, and conduct.
Authorities emphasized that strict monitoring and support measures are in place to deter abscondment, safeguard pilgrims, and ensure a seamless exercise that reflects positively on Nigeria’s image abroad.
