By Lukman Olabiyi
The first batch of Lagos State Christian pilgrims safely returned to Lagos on 1 January 2025, following a successful pilgrimage to the Holy Lands of Israel and Jordan.
The pilgrims arrived aboard a chartered Atlas Jet flight, 6K 3101.
At the welcome ceremony, Rt. Rev. Stephen Adegbite, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), expressed his joy at the success of the pilgrimage, noting that the journey had begun and ended positively.
He also thanked the Jordanian authorities for facilitating smooth border transfers between Jordan and Israel, which contributed to the overall success of the trip.
Rt. Rev. Adegbite extended gratitude to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for their continued support, expressing confidence that other states would also benefit from successful pilgrimage operations.
Key figures at the ceremony included Very Revd Adebukola Adeleke, Special Adviser on Christian Religious Matters, and Bishop Akinpelu Johnson, Chairman of the Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board. They offered thanks for the safe journey and the success of the exercise.
Mrs. Yetunde Gbafe, Board Secretary, highlighted the smooth and hitch-free nature of the pilgrimage. She expressed gratitude to both the Nigerian government and Lagos State for creating a supportive environment for the Board to carry out the pilgrimage. She also acknowledged improvements at the Jordan-Israel border and thanked Nigerian and Jordanian ground handlers for their assistance. She announced that the second batch of Lagos pilgrims would soon depart for the Holy Land.
Mrs. Adeola Aina, Director of Administration and Human Resources for the Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, who also served as Bus Captain for Bus One, expressed satisfaction with the successful completion of the pilgrimage. She described the experience as invaluable and encouraged others to participate in future pilgrimages.
Similarly, Mrs. Ebunoluwa Adeola Olagoke, Head of the Public Affairs Unit of the Board, noted that feedback from pilgrims reflected a spiritually fulfilling and enriching experience. She commended the well-organised nature of the pilgrimage and urged those interested to seize the opportunity to embark on a similar journey.
Newly inducted Jerusalem Pilgrims also expressed satisfaction with the spiritually rejuvenating experience and the top-notch welfare provided by the Lagos State Government. They encouraged others with reservations to visit the Holy Land, emphasising that it is now a peaceful destination for pilgrimage, contrary to negative perceptions held by many.