By Ameachi Prosper
Asaba: Commissioner Bureau for Special Duties, Delta State, Mr. Chika Ossai has charged the intending Christian pilgrims from the state to be good ambassadors of the state and the nation, urging them to respect the laws of the Holy land and shun prohibited items.
Speaking at a sensitization programme for the pilgrims at the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Secretariat in Asaba, he told the pilgrims to the Holy land of Israel, that “when you get there, we expect you to be of excellent conduct. We expect you to use the opportunity to pray for yourselves, your family, for Delta State, for Nigeria. He also charged them to pray for President Buhari and our governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.”
According to him; “You are also representing your communities. If you do anything bad there, people will mention your village to identify you. Then they will mention your local government. So, yourself, your families, your communities and even your local governments will be in bad light, so you will be surprised how one person can give a local government a bad image.”
He urged the intending Christian pilgrims to pray for God’s intervention in the nation’s socio-economic and political activities, saying that prayers among faithful Nigerian pilgrims will enable the country to overcome its present security and economic challenges.
The Executive Secretary, Delta State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Rev. Oke Akokotu, thanked the state governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for sponsorship of one hundred pilgrims for this year holy exercise and the beneficiaries to pray for nation.
He added that prayers would enable leaders at the helm of affairs to put in place sound economy policies and programmes that would improve the well-being of the citizens.
He also called on religious leaders in the country to do more in preaching the virtues of peace, religious tolerance and understanding among Nigerians.
The Executive Secretary said that such would pave the way for peaceful co-existence among various ethnic groups for an effective political and economic growth of the country, adding that enhancing religious tolerance and understanding among Nigerians would facilitate the socio-economic and political growth of the nation.
He also advised religious leaders to mobilise their followers to pray for God chosen leaders to ensure good democratic governance in the country.
“You are advised to maintain good table manner while eating. As you are leaving this country to Israel, you are on Holy Pilgrimage; it is not a jamboree. No pregnant women are allowed to travel. If you are on treatment you can take your drugs as prescribed by your doctor. You must not urinate in an open place. You must dress decently. Eat moderately. Spend wisely.”
On his part, the Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, on Religious Matters, Bishop Greatman Nmalagu noted that the present situation in the country was critical.
While applauding the governor for making good use of his office to ensure that some Deltans are sponsored to this year’s pilgrimage, he called on them to make use of the journey to pray to God to fully settle the problems of recession and other lingering crises affecting the country.
“The socio-economic, political, religious and spiritual problems confronting Nigeria as a nation are beyond human solution”. He said.
He told Christians that the present situation clearly show that human policies, might and power cannot provide effective and perfect solution to the problems which according to him, solutions can only come through the mercy of God.
Bishop Nmalagu, also called the attention of Nigerians to the activities of the Niger Delta Militants, and their negative impact on the economy and security of the nation which also requires prayers for God’s intervention, through the prayers of the pilgrims as they journey to Israel.
“Brothers and sisters use this God’s given privilege to the Holy land to address the issue of the activities of the Niger Delta Militants spiritually with God who has the power and solution to such problems”. He said
However, the Executive Assistant reminded the intending pilgrims, that God can only answer our prayers when we are spiritually minded, which includes not bringing bad reputation to Delta, Nigeria and the Christian world.
“You already know the problems affecting the church in Nigeria and the other nations across the globe, thus diligently tackle all problems with God. Disengage yourselves from any activity capable of preventing you from praying very well and actively participate in all pilgrims activities to enable you obtain the objectives of the trip. And do not be involved in any activity capable of bringing bad image to Delta, Nigeria and Christians”. He concluded.
The highlights of the ceremony were a brief lecture by Apostle Okorocha Sylvanus as well as questions and answers sessions.
