By Andrew Ikehi in Amman
Three hundred Deltans currently on pilgrimage in the Holy lands of Israel and Jordan have mounted prayer alters for the state governor and PDP vice-presidential candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, ahead of next year’s election.
The pilgrims described Okowa as “a man with fear of God”, for his continuous sponsorship of the exercise.
Speaking, Arch Bishop Jonathan Arhavwarien, who is also member of the State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, said that the State Governor has over the years, demonstrated his love for God by upholding the virtues of Godliness through his actions and conducts.
“It is a clear fact that the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa is a man that has the fear of God in him. Irrespective of the dwindling economic resources in the country, he has remained committed to the course of sponsoring pilgrims to the Holy land.
“It is true that he (the Governor) understands the importance of this exercise to the State, but with the current economic challenge he would have had a justifiable ground to stop it or, perhaps severe the number just as other states are doing.
“But because he places high premium on the things of God, he has decided to sustain the sponsorship program. With this, we remain eternally grateful to him just as we will continue to pray and support him” Arch Bishop Arhavwarien said.
The pilgrims also expressed joy that the exercise is already rejuvenating their spiritual lives even as they continue to tour some of the holy sites in both countries.
Speaking separately in an interview with our correspondent in Amman, the Capital city of Jordan, the pilgrims, yesterday expressed appreciation to the Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for sustaining the State Government’s sponsorship of the yearly exercise
According to them, available records had shown that the State Government topped the list in terms of number of pilgrims being sponsored to the holy lands, this year.
Attributing the feat to what they described as the Governor’s commitment towards Godliness and his love for Christians, the respondents noted that while the State Government sponsored over 300 Pilgrims to both countries, other states within the zone and beyond were sponsoring less than 100 pilgrims.
Some of the pilgrims who spoke to our correspondent included, Arch Bishop Jonathan Arhavwarien, Bishop Thriumph Osian, Barrister (Dr.) Tega Odudu, Mrs Franca Ogor and Mrs Comfort Okoh.
It would be recalled that the State Government is currently sponsoring about 300 pilgrims to the Holy Lands of Israel and Jordan.
