Elizabeth Ameh, Maiduguri
Christians in Borno State have commended the State Governor, Professor, Babagana Umara Zulum for sponsoring One hundred and One faithfuls to the Holy Lands of Jordan and Isreal for the 2023 pilgrimage.
The Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria, Borno State Chapter, Most Rev. Dr. John Bogna Bakeni, who is also the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri, gave the commendation and equally appreciated the Deputy Governor of the State, Alhaji Usman Umar Kadafur for his successful coordination and arrangement that saw them through to the Holy Land.
The Pilgrims arrived in Jordan since Friday,.their first place of visit before proceeding to the Holy Land of Isreal on Monday, speaking at one of the sites in Jordan, the CAN Chairman said the pilgrimage provides an opportunity for Christians to walk the paths of Jesus Christ and renew their faith in the worship of God.
He said it will equally give them opportunity to pray for peace as the country prepares for the 2023 general elections.
Most Reverend Dr. Bakeni urged the pilgrims to make the best of the rare opportunity and see themselves as pilgrims instead of tourists.
” I commend our Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum for giving the Christians in the state this wonderful opportunity of renewing their faith by providing resources from the coffers of the state for their spiritual growth. I also commend the Deputy Governor for all his efforts at ensuring that the 2023 pilgrimage comes to fruition for the Christians in the State, ” he said.
The Auxiliary Bishop also called on the pilgrims to make the best of opportunity and see themselves as pilgrims instead of tourists.
Also speaking, the Former Head of Service ( HOS ) of Borno State, Barr. Simon thanked Governor Zulum for sponsoring Christians to the Holy Land to perform this year’s pilgrimage and congratulated the pilgrims.for being able to make it to the Holy Land.
Barr. Malgwi who is also a participant, and an Adviser to Governor Zulum on legal matters, said haven read a lot of things from the Holy Bible coupled with the privilege to visit the Holy Land to see for himself those things written in the scripture, his faith as a Christian has been strengthened.
He added that participants haven touched, feel, and see physical manifestation of the Holy Bible, would in turn return home to testify to those who have never visited the Holy land that those things written in the Bible are not fiction, but reality.
Another pilgrim, Engr Ayuba Dawa said his experience in the Holy land has made him to believe that the Holy Bible is real. ” Iam happy to be here . My eyes have seen , my hands have touched and even my legs have walk on those things said in the Bible. We will be praying for a peaceful 2023 general elections and total return of peace to Borno State and the Country as a whole. I commend Governor Zulum for giving us the opportunity to renew our faith,” he said.
In their separate comments, Ladi Pius, Dr. Adamu Arku and Achinari Bitrus, thanked Borno State Government for giving them the opportunity to visit the Holy Land and prayed that God will grant good health and wisdom to the Governor as he steers the affairs of the state.
