By Noble Praise, Abuja
The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, Mr. John Kennedy Opara has disclosed that 2013 Easter Pilgrimage Exercise would kick off on the 25th February, 2013.
Mr. Opara who made the disclosure in his office at a press briefing, stated that one of the setbacks witnessed by the Commission was the flood incident that prevented 10 states from taking part in the 2012 pilgrimage exercise, adding that arrangement has been put in place to airlift them during the Easter Exercise.
He said that about 2650 pilgrims are expected to take part in the exercise and provision has been made for other self sponsored pilgrims to join in the Exercise.
The NCPC boss also affirmed that 2012 Christian Pilgrimage was a huge success as the commission recorded zero abscondment, stressing that the success recorded was possible because of the thorough screening procedure the Commission introduced.
He further stated that the aim of the exercise was to enable Christians who go on pilgrimage to encounter God personally which should in turn transform their lives morally and spiritually.
In his words, “we want people to go and they will come back spiritually and morally transformed which they will in turn impact on the lives of the people for a better society.”
The NCPC helmsman equally stressed that pilgrimage is not for leisure where comfort is assured but a spiritual exercise where pilgrims are given the essentials and are allowed to experience life as Christ did as much as possible.
“Our pilgrimage is not tourism, it is not a journey for comfort but is a spiritual journey to remind us of whom we are , where we were coming from and where we are going to, is a journey of a life time” he added.
