Lagos pilgrims arrive safely in Amman for 2024 pilgrimage
By Adeola Ogunrinde
A total of 354 pilgrims from Lagos, along with others from Abuja, and officials from the Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board and the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), have arrived safely in Amman, Jordan, to begin the 2024 pilgrimage.
The theme for this year’s pilgrimage is “Pilgrimage of Renewed Hope for Total Restoration” (Joel 2:25).
The pilgrims, led by Rt. Reverend Adegbite Stephen, Executive Director of the NCPC, departed Muritala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos on Sunday, December 22, aboard Air Anka flight JAV3102, following the flag-off ceremony at the Chapel of Christ the Light Church in Alausa, Ikeja.
They arrived in Jordan on Monday, December 23, at 7:00 AM local time, where they were warmly welcomed by their Jordanian hosts, including Ms. Shada, General Manager of Tabar Tours.
She expressed her joy at hosting the Lagos contingent, emphasizing the special nature of their visit to the Holy Land.
This year’s pilgrimage is especially significant for Lagos, as it marks the first group to arrive in the Holy Land for the 2024 pilgrimage. In addition, Rt. Reverend Adegbite Stephen, Executive Secretary of the NCPC, is leading this delegation.
Reverend Adegbite expressed satisfaction with the pilgrimage’s progress and emphasized its spiritual importance, aiming for a rebirth in the lives of the pilgrims. He encouraged them to be good ambassadors of Nigeria and focus on their spiritual journey.
He also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for their support in making this year’s pilgrimage possible.
Mrs. Yetunde Gbafe, Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, also expressed her excitement at the success of the trip despite earlier challenges.
She urged the pilgrims to conduct themselves well and to pray for the nation, Israel, and the Middle East.
The pilgrims will visit several historic and spiritual sites, including Mount Nebo, Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Dead Sea, and the River Jordan, among others.
They will spend three days in Jordan before traveling to Israel and then return to Jordan for their flight back to Nigeria on January 1, 2025.
