Pre-Pilgrimage: NCPC, FCT Pilgrims Board, Others, Visit Rome, Athens
By: Darlington Omotoso
To ensure a hitch-free 2023 Christian Pilgrimage to Rome and Athens in Italy and Greece respectively, the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, (NCPC), the Federal Capital Territory Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, (FCT-CPWB), and other States’ Pilgrims Welfare Boards have embarked on an inspection tour of holy sites, hotels and other facilities.
The 2023 Christian Pilgrimage has been scheduled to take place early 2023, in Rome and Athens.
Since Nigerian pilgrims are expected at the various holy sites during the exercise, the officials were in Italy and Greece to inspect the accommodations, and sites to be visited during the forthcoming Pilgrimage.
In his remarks, the leader of delegation and the Executive Secretary, NCPC, Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam, revealed that the Pre-visit is crucial to fine-tune arrangements for seamless yet spiritually satisfying pilgrimage by Nigerian pilgrims, using the opportunity to make adequate preparation for logistics among others, with ground handlers.
His words: “I urge leaders of FCT and States’ Pilgrims Board to carefully look out for good halls, where pilgrims will have the opportunity to pray together within the hotels, good facilities in the rooms, adequate logistics should be meticulously considered and adequately arranged for.”
“The Commission will not compromise on the welfare of any Nigerian pilgrims, hence the need to ensure that all concerns raised for the forthcoming Pilgrimage in Rome and Greece early next year are expeditiously addressed ahead of the commencement of the exercise,” he added.
The Executive Secretary appreciated the officials for their cooperation and commitment to the advancement of Christian Pilgrimage.
Also speaking during the visit, Ag. Director, FCT-CPWB, Mrs. Rahila Isa-Baita, who was accompanied by Deputy Director Accounts of the Board, Mrs. Nonye Obi- Mary, disclosed that some of the Biblical holy sites visited whilst in Rome included, St. Peter’s Basilica, Mamertine Prison, Colosseum, Roman Forum, Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, amongst others.
According to her, “it was a glorious experience for us as Nigerians, as we fellowshipped with thousands of other Christians from various countries around the World.
The Director gave the assurance that adequate arrangements is being made for FCT Pilgrims to have a memorable pilgrimage experience.
The high point of the pre-pilgrimage visit to Rome was the one-day Papal audience with the Pope Francis at the St. Paul’s sixth hall, in the Vatican City.
