Tinubu Cautions Nigerian Pilgrims Against Absconding During Holy Land Trip

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerian Christian pilgrims traveling to Israel and Jordan to uphold integrity and resist the temptation to abscond, stressing that “there is no country like Nigeria.”

The President’s warning came on Thursday during the official flag-off of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission’s (NCPC) delayed 2025 Easter pilgrimage exercise at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State. Tinubu was represented at the event by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.

Highlighting the essence of pilgrimage as a spiritual journey of faith, Tinubu praised the leadership of NCPC Executive Secretary, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, for successfully conducting four pilgrimages to the Holy Land since assuming office. He also commended Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma for his sustained sponsorship of pilgrims, noting that the governor sponsored 1,000 participants in 2023 and another 1,000 this year.

A statement from NCPC’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Celestine Toruka, quoted the President as saying:“You should not contemplate abscondment in your minds because there is no country like Nigeria.”

Governor Uzodimma, in his remarks, urged the pilgrims to carry Nigeria in their hearts throughout the journey and to pray for peace, stability, and wisdom for the nation’s leadership. Similarly, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, described the pilgrimage as an opportunity for spiritual renewal and encouraged participants to return as better citizens.

Bishop Adegbite thanked both the President and Governor Uzodimma for their support, urging the pilgrims to serve as worthy ambassadors of Nigeria and Christ while abroad. He also expressed appreciation to the SGF for his supervisory role over the Commission.

For the first time in Imo State’s history, about 350 Christian pilgrims from Imo and Abia States were airlifted directly from Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport to the Holy Land, marking a milestone in the state’s religious and aviation records.