193 Christian pilgrims depart Yola for pilgrimage

No fewer than 193 Christian pilgrims from Taraba and Gombe states would be transported to Jordan through the Yola International Airport for the 2022 pilgrimage.

Rev. Yakubu Pam, the Executive Chairman of the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, made this known while addressing the intending pilgrims at the point of departure in Yola on Monday.

He said 164 pilgrims were sponsored by the Taraba State Government and 29 from Gombe out of which three of them were self sponsored, saying the pilgrims would also visit Jerussalem for the ritual.

He urged them to be good ambassadors of Nigeria while at the Holy land while calling on them to endure and persevere the rigours of the religious engagements as they would be visiting numerous historical sites.

Pam commended the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for its regular support to the National Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), stressing it would continue to support government policies and programmes.

He, however, called on the pilgrims to pray for continued peace and stability of the nation, considering the current security challenges bedevelling the nation, especially now that the 2023 general elections were fast approaching.

"Any pilgrim who decides to abscond and not return to Nigeria would definitely be apprehended and sanctioned appropriately," he said.