The Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) has began rounding off its 2022 pilgrimage in the Kingdom of Jordan and Israel.

The Executive Secretary, NCPC, Rev. Yakubu Pam, in a ceremony to end the pilgrimage exercise in Jericho, Isreal, described pilgrimage as a spiritual act that builds faith, promotes unity and prosperity.

“We are very happy that we have come to the end of the 2022 pilgrimage which started in December 2022, you are the 10th and last batch for this exercise and that makes you very special to my heart.

“You are not sealing the tent by closing but opening doors of blessings. We are happy that we kept the dreams of out founding fathers to keep going on, even at the time the entire globe is in economic crisis.

“We are glad that we went beyond the challenges of our pockets to be here and this is for the desire to build our faith and to pray for our country.

“Pilgrimage is not a luxury, a jamboree or tourism, but a spiritual movement that builds faith, promotes unity prosperity and productive values,” he said.

Pam commended the batch of pilgrims for not absconding stating that Nigeria would be great if all pilgrims returned home and help to build it to enviable heights.

He thanked the pilgrims for praying for Nigeria and the successful general elections, and also  charged them to pray for a successful handing over on May, 29.

The Executive Secretary commended the federal government and state governments for supporting the pilgrimage.

He announced that the 2023 pilgrimage would commence on April 26.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary, Plateau State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Rev. Fr. George Gorap, appreciated the pilgrims in the last batch for conducting themselves in an orderly manner.

Gorap charged all the pilgrims to continue to represent Nigeria in good light and pray for the good and the development of the country during pilgrimage.

He thanked the Plateau state government for always sponsoring the largest number of pilgrims in the country, noting that it the gesture had helped uplift the spiritual life of many citizens as well as prepare them for the final pilgrimage to heaven.

A pilgrim, Barr. Gyang Zi, a senatorial candidate in the 2022 general election in Plateau state, stated that the pilgrimage had given him the opportunity to connect reality with Biblical sites.

Zi said that visiting the holy sites in Jordan and Israel had brought him closer to God and feels directly connected especially in sites where Christ was tried, crucified and the eventual resurrection.

He urged individuals to sponsor themselves to visit the holy land stating that government would not be able to sponsor everyone wishing to perform pilgrimage.

NAN reports that Plateau, Kwara, Ogun and Osun states participated in the 2022 pilgrimage which saw the pilgrims visiting many holy sites in the Kingdom of Jordan and Israel.