As the 2024 Christian pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan begins, the Federal Government has issued a stern warning to pilgrims, cautioning against absconding during the holy exercise. The government emphasized that pilgrims and their guarantors would face significant consequences if such incidents occur.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, flagged off the exercise on Sunday at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. Addressing the first batch of 260 pilgrims from Lagos State, Tinubu urged them to view the pilgrimage as an opportunity to deepen their faith, in line with the theme Pilgrimage of Renewed Hope for Total Restoration.
There is no place better than home, Tinubu stated, urging the pilgrims to return to Nigeria at the end of the exercise and to pray for the progress of the nation and their families.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite, also underscored the importance of exemplary conduct during the pilgrimage. Warning against absconding, Adegbite stated, Whoever is found culpable will face the wrath, including their guarantors, whose names and that of the absconders will be blacklisted and published in national newspapers.
With over 10,000 Nigerians registered for this year’s pilgrimage, each paying ₦3 million, the total expenditure for the exercise amounts to ₦30 billion. However, security concerns in the Middle East have prompted caution. Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago advised Christians in his state to suspend their plans for pilgrimage this year due to ongoing conflicts in the region.
Bago, represented by Deputy Speaker Afiniki Dauda, stated, Allowing pilgrims to travel there would be equivalent to signing their death warrants. The safety of our citizens is paramount, and we will not compromise on that.
Despite calls from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for alternative pilgrimage destinations such as Jordan, Turkey, or Rome, Bago maintained his stance, citing the instability in the Holy Land.
The NCPC emphasized the sanctity of the pilgrimage as a period of reflection, humility, and spiritual renewal. The federal government, through its support for the exercise, aims to ensure a smooth and secure experience for participants while discouraging misuse of the opportunity.
The 2024 pilgrimage not only highlights the spiritual commitment of Nigerian Christians but also reflects the government’s efforts to balance faith-based activities with national security concerns.