About 3,500 pilgrims from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Imo States,
among others are to be airlifted from Akwa Ibom International Airport,
Uyo for this year's Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
The
Secretary of Nigerian Pilgrims Welfare Commission, Abuja, John Kennedy
Okpara, who disclosed this recently when he paid a courtesy visit on
Governor Godswill Akpabio at Governor's Office, Uyo, said this was due
to the modern and standard facilities in the airport which has made it
one of the best in the country.
Okpara, who described the airport
as world-class and a model in terms of best practices and standards,
further hinted that Christian pilgrims from some neighboring states
would be airlifted this year from the airport to Greece and Rome for the
same pilgrimage.
He announced that the commission has
successfully negotiated a rebate with Federal Government which has
witnessed a reduction by 12 per cent (N358,000) to Rome and 23 per cent
(N425,000) to Greece respectively, noting that pilgrimage has restored
family values as well as shaped leadership attributes.
The
Secretary who was amazed with the massive development in the state
especially the new Governor's Office, Uyo, thanked God for providing
such a focused Governor who has changed the status of the state.
Chief
Akpabio welcomed Okpara to the state, and thanked him for what he has
been doing to the Christian kingdom by increasing the number of
Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land on a yearly basis, stating "Under
your leadership, you have carried many pilgrims to the Holy Land. During
your tenure, the number of pilgrims has quadrupled".
The
Governor lauded his readiness and vision to airlift Christian pilgrims
from Akwa Ibom International Airport to Israel, saying "There's need to
bring Nigerians to God. God stands for love and peace and
not hatred and violence".
No comments:
Post a Comment