By Andrew Ikehi
The Delta State Government, yesterday said it has concluded plans to airlift the first batch of the over 300 intending Pilgrims to the Holy Lands of Israel and Jordan from the State come Monday, January 16, this year.
The State Commissioner, Bureau for Special duties, Chief Johnbull Edema who dropped the hint during a coordinated briefing for the intending Pilgrims, said that the second batch of the Pilgrims would be airlifted later in the month, precisely, January 26th, this year.
Addressing both batches of the intending Pilgrims in Asaba, the State capital, yesterday, Edema enjoined the intending Pilgrims to ensure that, while they sojourn the holy lands, they remain good ambassadors of the State in particular and the country at large.
On his part, the Chairman, Delta State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Arch Bishop Cyril Odutemu, while addressing the intending Pilgrims earlier, urged them to desist from acts capable of tarnishing the good image of the State and thus; ruing the chances of the State Governor and Vice presidential candidate of the PDP in the forth coming general elections, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.
According to him, the advise has become necessary just as he told the pilgrims that the attitude they may display during the exercise is capable of making or marring the chances of the State Governor’s vice presidential aspiration and particularly, the PDP.
Odutemu, while commending the State Governor and Vice Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic party, (PDP), Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for graciously approving the exercise this year, enjoined the intending Pilgrims to reciprocate the State Governor’s gesture by remaining good ambassadors of the State and the country.
The Christian Welfare Board Chairman who used the forum to debunk a social media report of his alleged endorsement of a particular gubernatorial candidate in the forth coming general elections in the State, reminded the intending Pilgrims that the board and the pilgrim exercise has nothing to do with any parry affiliation
“Beloved, what we are embarking on is purely a spiritual exercise and we have a common mandate to go and pray for the State and the country”.
“This exercise is purely devoid of political party affiliation. So, there is nothing like PDP, APC, APGA, SDP, LABOUR or any other party. We are Christians and that is our identity”, he said.
“You have the right to support and vote any candidate that appeals to you. However, we have the mandate to go to the Holy land to pray for our dear State, country and the forth coming general elections” Odutemu emphasized.
Odutemu who spoke alongside the Executive secretary of the Board, Apostle Samuel Okoh, enjoined the intending Pilgrims to ensure that they justify the huge resources being committed to the journey by upholding Godly virtues as they sojourn the holy land
