…As Okorote Reels Out Travel Guidelines
By Chika Kwamba
Delta State Government, yesterday, warned intending Pilgrims against acts that could bring the reputation of the state to ridicule on the global front.
The government, therefore, urged the intending pilgrims to be ambassadors of the MORE Agenda by conducting themselves in a Christ- like manner and good conduct.
The State governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by the Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Hon. Terry Etacherure gave the admonition at a seminar, organized for the 2024 Intending Pilgrim in the State, with the theme “Pilgrimage As a Tool for Spiritual Renewal,” held at the Delta State Christian Center, Asaba, the State capital.
Gov Oborevwori said, “The pilgrimage is a once in a while lifetime opportunity to walk in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ, to experience the Holy site, where he lived, preached, and sacrificed his life for our salvation.
“As you prepare to depart, I urge you to approach this journey with reverence, humility, and an open heart. May you be deeply moved by the spiritual significance of the places you will visit, and may your faith be strengthened by the experience, as this Pilgrimage is not just a physical journey but a spiritual one.
“Remember you are an ambassador of Christ and the Delta State Government and by extension ambassadors of the MORE Agenda. The world will be looking at us, and we must therefore display the spirit of excellence at all times as we advance Delta State”.
Gov Oborevwori added, “Let me warn, there will be security personnel in your midst to mitigate any attempt to abscond, please do not event attempt what you can not finish”.
He commended the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) and the state Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board for their tireless efforts in organizing the sacred journey.
In his remark, the Chairman, Delta State Christian Pilgrims Board, Apostle Sylvanus Okorote reeled out preparatory tips and travel guidelines ahead of the pilgrimage date.
He stressed the need for the intending pilgrims to adhere to the rules and regulations guilding the pilgrimage, even as he advised them to count themselves lucky to be part of the sacred journey
“Count yourself favoured that, out of almost six million Deltans, you are the chosen ones for this Pilgrimage,” Okorote added.
He expressed gratitude to Gov Sheriff Oborevwori for the approval and sponsorship of over 250 pilgrims to the Holy Land of Israel and Jordan to perform the 2024 holy pilgrimage.
He added: “the best you can do for His Excellency, the Board and Delta State for their sacrifices is to conduct yourselves as good Christians, pray and return back to Delta State with your double JP certificate.
In his goodwill message , the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Delta State, Rev Lucky Osagbakhoe appealed to the intending pilgrims to the Holy Land to put up their best behavior as Christians.
“It is meant to be a period of soul searching; time for deep, profound personal reflection and serious family prayers for the state and the nation at large, he admonished.
