Anambra State Government spent N374million in sponsoring 805 pilgrims for the 2014 and 2015 pilgrimage to the Holy land, just as 14 pilgrims went on personal sponsorship.
Dr. Levi Monanu, Chairman of Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board (CPWB), made the disclosure shortly after a thanksgiving service held by the board in Awka.
He said the service was aimed at thanking God for his mercy, love and grace in leading the contingents on a safe pilgrimage, as there were no telltales throughout the trip.
“We recorded no flight mishap, no pilgrim got injured or missing in the Holy land; all participated actively in the activities and fulfilled the purpose for which we went to Israel and returned safely,” he said.
Dr. Monanu said Anambra had the highest pilgrims in the South East, that participated in the exercise, adding that the pilgrims conducted themselves in line with the Motto of the Holy visit, which is “pilgrimage, a Tool for Moral and Spiritual Transformation.’’
He commended the state government for supporting the board, noting that the state was first to embark on agricultural and leadership training in Israel.
Governor Chief Willie Obiano, in his remarks commended the contingents for representing the state well and assured that government would continue to support in building spiritually filled citizens.
The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke, described pilgrimage as a tool for human and social development because the trip had assisted in reforming and building responsible citizens for development of the state.
Also speaking, the Director-General, Institute for National Transformation, Abuja, Prof Vincent Anigbogu, said pilgrimage has helped to infuse character formation among the people.
He said the two day intensive training offered Anambra pilgrims under the reference time was very necessary and called for more of such training in the state to be instituted in schools in order to achieve greater results.
Mrs Ifeadi Pat, a pilgrim said that pilgrimage was a worthy trip as it really helps in transforming lives of those who are likely to visit Holy Land.
She said that the government should give more room to people who could not afford the trip as it would certainly make more meaning to their Christian lives in having the chance to see in reality the holy sites.
Dr Uche Okafor said that the trip to holy land should be sustained as there is much to gain in the program and condemned the call to suspend the program from some quarters of the country.
The event was graced by wife of the deputy governor, Mrs Oby Okeke, traditional rulers while the Salvation Army Band entertained the pilgrims.
The board later presented plaques to the governor, his wife, the deputy and his wife as a mark of appreciation for their support towards the board/
I specialize in investigative reportage across several subject matter and sectors but mainly focus on metro events and investigation. Do leave your thoughts and opinion on my reports to let me know what you think about them. Thank you
Posted: at 12-05-2015 05:17 AM (9 years ago) | Addicted Hero
Deepsea81 at 12-05-2015 05:43 AM (9 years ago) (m)
LOOTING DON START
Posted: at 12-05-2015 05:43 AM (9 years ago) | Upcoming
I have been reporting on latest news from Nigeria for almost 10 years now. I report on every possible news area I come across, but always ensure my reports are compiled with dignity and fact to uphold my personal values and duty as a journalist
Posted: at 12-05-2015 06:33 AM (9 years ago) | Addicted Hero
nametalkam at 12-05-2015 11:13 AM (9 years ago) (m)
hahaha, Pilgrimage scam, Na God tomb dem wan go dey watch now, as if that will increase their IQ
I specialize in investigative reportage across several subject matter and sectors but mainly focus on metro events and investigation. Do leave your thoughts and opinion on my reports to let me know what you think about them. Thank you
Posted: at 12-05-2015 11:13 AM (9 years ago) | Addicted Hero
I wonder what JESUS would say. In a land circled in poverty where people make less than $1.00 a week to feed a family of 4 - choosing to spend such an amount on a "pilgrimage" is EMBARASSING!!!!!
Posted: at 12-05-2015 06:24 PM (9 years ago) | Gistmaniac
osarobo62 at 12-05-2015 07:45 PM (9 years ago) (m)
Quote from: angesco on 12-05-2015 06:24 PM
I wonder what JESUS would say. In a land circled in poverty where people make less than $1.00 a week to feed a family of 4 - choosing to spend such an amount on a "pilgrimage" is EMBARASSING!!!!!
JESUS would have said,...those who have sinned, let them cast the first stones.
Posted: at 12-05-2015 07:45 PM (9 years ago) | Hero
tundamartin at 12-05-2015 10:27 PM (9 years ago) (m)
Quote from: osarobo62 on 12-05-2015 07:45 PM
JESUS would have said,...those who have sinned, let them cast the first stones.
Are you kidding me? To steal African money to go and see ancient rubbles or foriegn diety? Jesus would have said "feed the helpless and the down-trodden" rather than stealing public money to worship a misunderstood concept of God- Adam n Eve, Jesus, white God etc!
Obviously, such nefarious abuse of public fund was not what the federal allocation was meant for. Yet salaries are not being paid. I wonder what the matter with Nigeria that a governor can use public money like his own. GMB should probe some of these excesses.
Not even in USA, the richest country in the world, does the government sponsor pilgrimage to an unholy land where Palestinians are being slaughtered by an aparthied regime. An ungodly place where any race except Jews are treated with utmost contempt, including blacks and Arabs.
Posted: at 12-05-2015 10:27 PM (9 years ago) | Upcoming
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