‘2010 Christian pilgrimage ’ll be hitch-free’

From ELEKWACHI CHINEDUM, Abuja
Posted: Monday, September 6, 2010

THE Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) has assured that arrangements are in top gear to ensure the success of 2010 Christian pilgrimage to Israel and Rome. Similarly, the commission said no pilgrim will be disenfranchised from the 2011 general elections as opportunity will be given to all intending pilgrims to participate in the forthcoming voters’ registration exercise being planned by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Executive Secretary of NCPC, Mr. John-Kennedy Opara said the commission was determined to ensure smooth and hitch-free handling of the exercise this year and expressed satisfaction with the reception from various state governors visited during the sensitization tour towards the forthcoming trip to the holy land.
He said in an exclusive interview with New Nigerian in Abuja that it has become imperative for political and religious leaders, particularly in the North, to encourage their people to partake in this spiritual exercise through sponsorship in the overall interest of unity, religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence in the country.
Expressing satisfaction at the reception given to him by the various state governors he visited during his sensitization tour towards the forthcoming trip, Mr Opara appealed to both political and religious leaders, particularly those in the North to encourage their people to partake in the spiritual exercise by sponsoring them.
The executive secretary said it was important for all Christians to see the trip to the holy land as a necessity towards enhancing their spiritual growth and development, adding that the spiritual exercise was not only an injunction from God as contained in the Holy Bible, but also offers Christians the opportunity to rejuvenate and seek God’s face for spiritual blessings.
Mr. Opara, who hinted that the intending pilgrims were currently undergoing screening across the country, said President Goodluck Jonathan has already approved two airlines earlier screened for the trip slated to commence next month.
On efforts to ensure all intending pilgrims were captured in the forthcoming voters’ registration exercise, the NCPC scribe said no one would be disenfranchised because of the trip as the Commission intended dialogue with the INEC Chairman, Professor Jega to fashion out modalities for registering the pilgrims before their departure to the holy land.
Mr Opara listed delayed payment of fares, lack of proper orientation by some Christians and abscondment as major challenges facing the commission, but said the issues were being effectively addressed.
He also spoke on the alleged assault and humiliation meted on a Catholic priest by the aides of the Imo State governor recently, blaming it on the overzealousness of security officials and insisted that no responsible governor would behave that way against one of his citizens.
The executive secretary said the governor’s letter of apology does not imply acceptance of such barbaric act, but rather showed responsibility and humility expected of a leader on behalf of the mistakes of his people.
On the forthcoming general elections, Mr Opara urged all Nigerians to pray for divine wisdom and direction on both Mr. President and the INEC boss on whose shoulders squarely lie either the success or failure of the elections.