The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Christian pilgrims

  • Jonathan leads Nigerian pilgrims in special prayers

    Jonathan leads Nigerian pilgrims in special prayers

    President Goodluck Jonathan in Jerusalem on Thursday led other Nigerian pilgrims to Israel in a special prayer for the numerous challenges facing Nigeria.

    Leading the intercessory prayer session at the Chapel of Dominous Flevit (where Jesus wept), the President particularly prayed for God’s intervention in the current political and security challenges in Nigeria.

    Other pilgrims who led in different prayer points included Governor Jonah Gang of Plateau, Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akin Adesina, the President, Christian Association of Nigeria in the FCT, Rev. Israel Akanji and Rep. Ndudi Elumelu.

    The President had earlier visited Mount Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Bascillica of Agony and Mount Zion where he also prayed alongside other pilgrims at the Upper Room (where Jesus had the last supper with his disciples).

    Other places visited included David City, The Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, the last place where Jesus was kept a night before he was crucified.

    The President and other Nigerian pilgrims also walked down the Palm Sunday Road to the Chapel of Dominous Flevit.

    President Jonathan is expected to visit the Jerusalem Old City, The Wailing Wall, Golgotha, Pool of Bethesda and other holy sites in the second day of his pilgrimage.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that eight governors, seven ministers and three members of the National Assembly were part of the entourage to Israel.

    The governors are – Chief Theodore Orji (Abia), Mr. Peter Obi (Anambra), Chief Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Chief Martin Elechi (Ebonyi) and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta).

    Others are Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Lyiel Imoke (Cross River) and Jang.

    The ministers included the supervising Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri; FCT Minister of State, Olajumoke Akinjide; Minster of Information, Mr. Labran Maku and the Minister of Aviation, Princes Stella Oduah.

    Members of the National Assembly in the presidential pilgrimage are Senate Committee Chairman on Power, Sen. Philip Aduda, and Sen. Paul Paulka.

     

     

  • Nigerian Pilgrims decry high cost of items in Israel

    Nigerian pilgrims to the 2013 Christian Pilgrimage to Israel on Thursday decried the high cost of gift items in that country.

    They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the prices of gift items in Israel were on the high side compared to Nigeria.

    Mr. Jonathan Ali, a pilgrim from Gombe State, said he had decided to buy only those things that he needed during his stay in Israel because of the high price.

    “I have resolved not to buy any item again unless those ones that I know will be useful to me here,’’ he said.

    He said he bought some of the items because of their quality and not because they were cheap.

    Mr. Sunny Ezeagu from Imo said that he did not buy much because he discovered that the prices of the items were same with the prices in Nigeria.

    “The prices I got in some shops today is almost same with the prices in Nigeria, that is why I did not buy much today. When I get to Nigeria, I will buy them,’’ Ezeagu said.

    Ezeagu said that it would be a waste of time and money to buy things he wouldn’t need and carry excess luggage when the prices were similar in Nigeria.

    Mrs. Felicia Amupitan from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said that she decided not to buy much because the prices were better in Nigeria.

    According to her, she does not do much shopping because the prices of gift items are very high.

    Amupitan said that apart from the high price of the items, she would not want to carry excess luggage when going back home.

    “I am not buying not just because of the high prices, but also to avoid carrying excess luggage,’’ Amupitan.

    Mr. Raphael Agetu, a pilgrim also from the FCT, said that he was not satisfied with the prices of the items he bought so far, and had resolved not to buy anything again until he returned to Nigeria.

     

  • Jonathan to pilgrims: Avoid criminal activities

    Jonathan to pilgrims: Avoid criminal activities

    President Goodluck Jonathan has charged Nigerians going on pilgrimage to Israel, Rome and Greece to avoid criminal activities

    Jonathan urged the pilgrims to devote all their time to praying for the nation, her leaders and Nigerians.

    President Jonathan, who was represented by the Senate President, David Mark, made the plea at the flag-off ceremony for the October/December pilgrimage to Israel, Rome and Greece in Abuja at the weekend.

    He enjoined the pilgrims “to remain good ambassadors of Nigeria.

    A statement issued by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Senate President, Kola Ologbondiyan, quoted Jonathan as saying “in addition to exemplary conduct and high sense of patriotism, let there be no single incidence of absconding during the pilgrimage.

    “While in the Holy land, devote all the time to pray for Nigeria, her leaders and Nigerians. I urge you to say special prayers for the unity, peace, love, security and progress of our nation.

    “Our country is facing challenges from political, economic to security. We need a true exodus from these challenges in order to sincerely work towards the unity, stability and progress of our nation.

    “The current challenges call for collective and proper management by every Nigerian. I have no doubt we will overcome our present challenges; witness the strengthening of our co-existence and deepen our democracy, if you sincerely pray while on this holy pilgrimage.”