Kabo, Maxair and Sky Power Express airlines are to transport pilgrims from the Kano zone of the National Hajj Association of Nigeria (NHAN), to Saudi Arabia, for this year’s hajj.
The Kano zonal coordinator of the commission, Mallam Umar Bala, who confirmed the development yesterday at the end of a stakeholders’ meeting, said the exercise is scheduled for September 6.
According to him, it will begin from the Dutse International Airport, Jigawa State, which is under the Kano zone.
The former Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Southeast zone, Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, has hailed the completion and use of the Pilgrims Terminal at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
The bishop of Enugu Diocese of the Anglican Communion, spoke to reporters in Enugu at the weekend, after the ceremonies to mark the departure of Anambra pilgrims to Israel that the airport had become an international one.
He said: “We are happy that our pilgrims are travelling from Akanu Ibiam Airport. This is the fourth state. The first state we packaged from here was Abia, the next one was Ebonyi, the third was Enugu. Anambra is now being packaged for the Easter pilgrimage and we are happy that the Atlas Jet is taking them from Akanu Ibiam Airport, making this place an international airport.
“We are hoping that the pilgrims will be good ambassadors and will allow the pilgrimage to go through them so that they can be transformed. We hope they will be transformed to be better Christians and influence others.
“We thank the Southeast governors for what they have done to make sure that this year’s pilgrimage is a success. We pray it will continue.”
The Federal Commissioner, Nigeria Christians Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Rev. Zion Solomon Ibenye, described the launch of the Easter pilgrimage as superb, noting that everything went as planned.
“Federal Government is committed to the project and the state governments in the Southeast are also committed,” he said.
Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan, performed the launching.
Addressing the pilgrims before their departure, the Executive Secretary of (NCPC), John Kennedy Opara, thanked the President for allowing the pilgrims to be be flown fromAkanu Ibiam International Airport.
The Primate of the Anglican Communion, who also chairs the NCPC, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, prayed for those who made the pilgrimage possible.
President Goodluck Jonathan has directed appropriate authorities to build pilgrims camps at the nation’s international airports.
The President gave the directive yesterday in Abuja when he received the report of the Federal Government’s delegation to the 2013 Christian pilgrimage, led by the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.
After discussing the matter with relevant ministers, Jonathan said the Federal Government would start budgeting for the facilities to cover the affected airports.
The President explained that facilities at the camps could be used for other purposes when they are not used for pilgrimage.
He said: “Pilgrims camps should be built inside all international airports in Nigeria. We must build these facilities for Christian and Muslim pilgrims since many people are being moved about the same time every year.
“The government must take steps to provide such facilities. Such facilities can also be used for other things when they are not deployed for pilgrimage.
“We will discuss with the ministers and we will begin to budget for it so that gradually, we will begin to provide the facilities at our international airports, especially the ones that are being used for this purpose.”
To ease the movement of pilgrims, Jonathan assured that the Nigerian government would pursue the implementation of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with the State of Israel to a logical conclusion.
Nigerian pilgrims participating in this year’s Christmas pilgrimage, on Sunday prayed at the Mountain of Temptation Church for God’s intervention in efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s peace, security and unity.
The group also visited some holy sites in the ancient city of Jericho and the Dead Sea.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in Jericho, the pilgrims visited the Mountain of Temptation, which is believed to be the place where Jesus Christ fasted for forty days and forty nights.
The ancient Jericho City is of great spiritual significance to Christians because of the miraculous conquest of the city by Joshua, the Jewish leader, during the exodus of the Israelites to the Promised Land.
It is believed to be the site where Joshua commanded the Israelites to go round the fortified Wall of Jericho seven times singing, following which the wall fell, while the city was captured.
The pilgrims proceeded from Jericho to River Jordan where they took their bath for spiritual cleansing.
Despite the various crises associated with religion in the country, Nigeria remains a religious nation with various religions thriving alongside one another. In this interview with PAUL UKPABIO, Mr. John Kennedy Okpara, Executive Secretary of the Abuja-based Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), who returned from pilgrimage to Isreal recently with President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, opens up on what it takes to head a Christian pilgrim’s commission in Nigeria, the challenges and more importantly, the expectations for would-be pilgrims during the annual spiritual exercise carried out through the commission.
WHAT kind of background did you have, and in what ways would you say it has contributed to what you are today?
My background indeed influenced me. I was brought up by parents who had the fear of God. Later on, my mentor and father in the Lord who brought me up, the late Rev. Father Ben, took me up, guided and molded me. One of the greatest gifts he gave me was to have known Jesus. That made me to understand that I will amount to nothing without Jesus.
So, the teachings, the training I had while living with him strengthened my faith in the Lord. They encouraged me to where God has led me to today. I want to say that my upbringing really influenced me to be able to do what I am supposed to do today as a child of God, and that has helped me a lot.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in the village. I am from a place called Umopara in Imo State. From there, I left to stay with the Reverend Father who brought me up. From there I went to so many places. The Reverend fathers were usually posted out every now and then, sometimes under a year. I was always travelling with him to those places, from one parish to another.
What was the experience like living with a Reverend Father?
It brought me closer to Jesus. I saw the priests as Christ personified. I saw them as very holy people. Their lives inspired me, and that was why I wanted to be a Catholic priest. That was because I saw men devoting their lives and time to serving God and working for Him. Everything we do, everything we were doing on a daily basis was about Jesus. That really inspired me as a young man, and it made me to want to become a Catholic priest.
So why did you not become one?
(Laughs) I know that God is in charge of our lives. Every man’s life is in His hands. Even though I would have loved to be, God didn’t want me to be a priest, He wanted me to serve Him in a secular world like this. I am grateful to God because He has made me to be able to touch lives, even the lives of people who are not Catholics. Obviously, if I were a Catholic priest, I wouldn’t have been able to reach out and touch the lives of those who are not Catholics or people who are not even Christians. So, the work I am doing here too is divine.
Getting to be an Executive Secretary of a federal agency is not a day’s job. How did this happen?
As an individual, I feel I am not fit. But the Lord Almighty in His infinite wisdom decided that I had to be picked at a time like this. When He called me, I asked why me? He answered that it is for a purpose, that He wants me to make a difference. So I must thank Him and also thank the then Vice President, who is now the President, for all the support he gave to get me to where I am today. I owe gratitude to God and to the President. I pray that God will not let me disappoint.
How about your educational background?
I had my early education in the eastern part of Nigeria. Later on, I moved to the University of Calabar, where I had my first degree in Biological Sciences. I later moved to University of Jos where I had my master’s degree in the same field. I am presently rounding off my Ph.D programme in the same university.
Apart from that, I have gone for courses at Harvard University in the USA. At Harvard, I took some leadership courses to enable me become a good leader. Again, I did a study on conflict resolution and management there. I also went to Oxford University, and then Cambridge University where I did a programme that qualifies one to go on to a master’s degree there. At Stanford University in USA, I also had a programme there.
So what was inspiring you from one educational programme to another?
I enjoy motivating myself to learn. I believe that life is a continuous learning experience. As a young man, I believe the more I expose myself to learning, the better I would be as a leader. Leadership is about influencing people and things. The wealth of knowledge you have helps because if you don’t have knowledge, you can’t impact or influence anything. But if you have knowledge, you will be able to impact on people positively.
Were you married when you were doing all these learning and travelling?
(Laughs) Yes, I was. In fact, I thank God for the kind of wife and children that I have. They have showed great understanding of the nature of my work. That is because at times, they wish I was not always travelling. But I pray for them always, that God also will make me a better husband.
Going on pilgrimage is every faithful’s dream. But to you, what does Christian pilgrimage mean?
To me, it is a spiritual journey; a journey for divine encounter. I always believe that each time we visit the land of promise, the land of God, we are being reminded of who we are. We are being reminded that Jesus walked on this same earth, like you and I are walking today. And He was able to live an upright life. He was able to make changes, which means that you and I can do it. That’s why the bible says in Mathew Chapter 19 Verse 6, that “to men, it may look impossible, but to God, it is possible.”
“So, each time I go on pilgrimage, it reminds me that nothing is impossible with God and that brings me closer to Him. My pride is to get as many people as possible to have this experience and get an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. It will help us. That is why we are using pilgrimage as a tool for moral and spiritual transformation. By this transformation, it helps our great nation to move forward.
Do you think that pilgrimages have helped the country over the years?
I have always said that events show while people do the talking. I must confess that many people have called to tell me that what we are doing is a brilliant idea. Some people are willing to go again and again because they saw it real. Many didn’t believe it is possible. Many confess of miracles when they return. There have been women who didn’t have children. Upon encouragement, they were at the holy land, prayed, came back and God touched their lives. Today, they have children. And so many others who confess that after their return, their lives changed. I thank God for such people.
For the purpose of those who have not gone on this pilgrimage, mention some spiritual experiences that can influence a change of life.
In Israel, there are so many holy sites to visit. A place such as the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, for instance, was where Solomon built a temple for the Lord. And when that temple was being dedicated, you remember that the Lord did not allow Solomon’s father, King David, to build a temple for Him, even though David was a man after His own heart; though He allowed David to buy some of the materials for building the temple.
That teaches something that it does not matter who you are or what you do, it depends on what God wants to do and who He wants to use. So at every point in a person’s life, God could decide to use you or another person not minding whether you laid the foundation or not. So for all that David did, God did not allow him to build, but gave that assignment to his son.
And on the day of dedication of the temple in 1st Chronicles, God said that “every prayer offered here, my eyes will be fixed on it and my ears will listen to it.” And that was a covenant prayer. Even non-Christian vying for political elective posts go to the Wailing Wall for prayers. The wall is there till today because of what was said about it and because of the prophecy about the place. The bible has it that God said that, “strangers will come here to offer prayers and I will answer.”
When you go to Galilee, the Church of Multiplication, when I entered, I remembered what God asked there, “what do you have?” They replied, “Five loaves of bread and five fishes.” And He was able to multiply it. What God may be asking you and I now may not be fish and bread, He could be asking for our time. We must always have something to offer. For us Christians, when we go there, we must always have something to offer. And when we offer Him our time, our talent, He will multiply it and take it to greater heights.
Another place is Cana where Jesus had His first miracle. His mother said, “Whatever He says you should do, do it.” That church reminds me that God is a miracle, that He can turn things around; that we should look up to Him. There are many other holy places like that.
Are there special rules or pre-requisites governing the procedure for would be Christians going on pilgrimage?
They are simple, you must be a good standing Christian, that is have a church, which can also vouch that you are responsible, and you must be working that is gainfully employed. Since we came on board, we have brought the issue of those absconding to zero percent. We must continue to push the process. God has really helped us.
Is Christian pilgrimage limited to going to Jerusalem?
No, we have extended the pilgrimage to Greece and Rome. So using St. Paul as a model, Christians can now go to Israel, from there to Corinth, Athens and then move to Rome like Paul did. That is where the pilgrimage ends. The pilgrimage moves like a circle. And at the end of it all, Nigerians who are going, when they experience this, they see the Old Testament and then the New Testament too, the complete bible.
We talked to a few Christians about pilgrimage. A lot of them want to have the experience, some do not know how to take part, and do not know the traveling periods. Are there enlightenment programmes to this effect?
Yes, we have. Since we came on board, we have a calendar of activities which ensures that Christians can now plan. We have three types of pilgrimages; the first is the Easter Pilgrimage, which starts March and ends in April. We have the new Family Pilgrimage that starts July and ends in August for families that want to go with their children to go and pray. Then the main pilgrimage runs from October to December. So any Christian can decide to pick any of these pilgrimage packages and enjoy it. We have offices in almost all the states of the federation. My team has been going round the churches, mobilising people and many Christians are aware of this and coming on pilgrimages.
Simply said, what are the procedures?
All that is needed to do is to visit our website, print out a form, fill the form, go to the bank and pay for any of the packages. It is as simple as that. Afterwards, we can then process it and later invite you for orientation which takes place in a day, along with screening. This orientation is done in each of the state’s Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board. We have offices in states of the federation.
Managing pilgrims around the country could actually be a task. How do you do it?
I must tell you it is a lot of hard work and I want to thank God for my efficient staff, the board members and all those who have made it easier for me. For instance, in the last couple of weeks, we have visited 22 states talking to the governors on the need to encourage people to go on pilgrimages. This cannot be done by one man, it is a collective effort. So I thank God for them. Even then, we are not there yet. So I am praying that God will continue to let us do better.
In carrying out your job, how do you guard against discriminating against churches?
I have always told my staff to be sensitive of that. I use myself as an example. I was born a Catholic, I am also a Catholic, but I am an Anglican by association and a Pentecostal by fellowship. What is important to me is that the churches are serving one living God and we must always see ourselves as one. That is why the Lord prayed one last prayer that, “above all that they may be one.” So I see my position here as something to use and unify the churches and not to separate them.
All through this period that you have been going on pilgrimage, tell us about your most embarrassing moments.
I always want Nigerians to understand that the journey is that of a holy pilgrimage. Some Nigerians when they go on pilgrimage, they get carried away by the shopping for material things. I do not really like to see Nigerians concentrating more on shopping than what they were at the holy sites to do. I rather would prefer seeing them concentrate more on the spiritual exercise they travelled down there to do.
I would expect that they concentrate more on prayer, then come back and be renewed spiritually. By concentrating more on shopping, it shows that you do not understand Jesus or the essence of why you are at the holy land.
We sometimes have to let them know that we are not there for buying and selling but for a spiritual exercise. We are there to have an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to plead with the pilgrims that once they are out there, they are ambassadors of our great country Nigeria, so it is necessary to comport themselves appropriately. Out there, they are the first image of the country that people see. So they are to behave well, submit themselves to God and allow God to use them.
An award winning Hajj operator, Hajj Mabrur Ventures, has concluded seminars for its intending pilgrims.
The 200 pilgrims were enlightened on various rules relating to pilgrimage to the Holy Land in Saudi Arabia which every traveller has to know and abide with.
This ranges from Immigration law, National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) directives and health-related issues.
The General Manager of the company, Alhaji Abdulhammed Solate, urged the pilgrims to make best use of the training for hitch-free Hajj exercise.
“This is our 13th edition and we pray that Allah crowns our effort with success,” he said.
A pathologist from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr. Miftau Oloko, urged the pilgrims to get medical certificate to certify their fitness for the Hajj exercise.
He said: “More than three million people from over 140 countries converge on Saudi Arabia for the Hajj. There are many illnesses that you can be exposed to, but there are also many things you can do to help you stay healthy. One of the best things you can do is to attend the seminar before you go, to make sure you have the information, medication, and vaccines that you need for a safe and enjoyable trip. “
Oloko educated the pilgrims on what to do while on Hajj to avoid stampede.
He said: “Sometimes the surging crowds, trekking from one station of the pilgrimage to the next, may cause a stampede. Panic spreads; pilgrims jostle to avoid being trampled upon, thereby causing serious injuries. To protect yourself, try to avoid the most densely congested areas and always be aware of the location of emergency exits.
“Pilgrims can expect fewer crowds if they perform these rituals during non-peak hours.”
Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has given a personal donation of 200 Riyadh to each of the 1,200 pilgrims from Ogun in Mecca.
Chairman of the State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board Dr. Isiaq Yusuf yesterday said the gesture was to ease their burden at the Mina camp, where they are expected to stay for four days after climbing Mount Arafat.
A member of the board, Alhaji Abidoye Amosun, who spoke for Yusuf, said the state government was concerned about the welfare of pilgrims.
He said: “A special package has been provided personally by Governor Ibikunle Amosun for all pilgrims from Ogun to aid feeding during the four-day stay in Mina camp to complete the Hajj rites.
“You must preserve your strength for the task ahead, which is to ensure you complete all stipulated rites expected of pilgrims for your efforts to be accepted by Allah.”
The climbing of Mount Arafat will hold on October 14.
One of the pilgrims, Mr. Raji Abdul-Raman thanked the governor and hailed the conduct of officials of the board.
Another pilgrim, Alhaja Sikiratu Alawiye, said despite some hitches, they were adequately provided for.
Over 2,000 Lagos State Muslim pilgrims have been moved from Medina to Mecca in preparation for this year’s Hajj.
Speaking with The Nation in Medina, the Chairman of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Kabiru Paramole, said the pilgrims would first perform the lesser Hajj (Umra).
The don urged the pilgrims to be careful with their money and be cautious while crossing the highway.
He said a pilgrim from Edo State was involved in a car accident in Medina yesterday.
National President of the Kun-Fayakun Islamic Society of Nigeria Alhaji Abdul-Waheed Adetona thanked the Lagos State government for providing foodstuff for the pilgrims.
Adetona said: “The food given to us by the state government has assisted us in keeping our money and reduced the burden of looking for what to eat.”
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has started airlifting pilgrims from the territory to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia to perform this year’s Hajj.
The approved airline for the FCT, Max Air, airlifted 1,030 pilgrims from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to Jeddah through two flights of 530 and 500 pilgrims.
Minister of State for the FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, who bade farewell to the pilgrims at the Permanent Hajj Camp near the Abuja Airport, advised them to be good ambassadors of the country in the Holy Land.
“I wish to call upon the intending pilgrims to pray for peace, unity and prosperity of our country and to support our leaders in prayers. Through prayers, Nigeria and the incumbent government will accomplish great things.
“The FCT Administration remains committed to doing everything possible to ensure that FCT contingent gets the best treatment,” she said.
The minister assured the pilgrims that the FCT Administration would continue to work hard to articulate policies and programmes that would improve the annual Hajj exercise, including provision of excellent welfare packages for pilgrims in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
She disclosed that the FCT had been allocated five flights for the airlift of its pilgrims, which had been concluded on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 11:30p.m.
She recalled that the FCT and other states of the federation had to contend with the 20 per cent reduction in Hajj seats allocation across the world.
“As a result of this development, the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board had to design a realistic means of addressing the problem. Open balloting was conducted under the active supervision of key stakeholders; and the exercise was transparent and conducted in an orderly manner.
“We must accept this as a design of destiny which we lack the power to change. However, I have given directive for special consideration and attention for all those who missed out, in this year’s Hajj exercise as well as prompt refund for those who so desired,” Akinjide said while flagging off the first flight from the FCT.
The Director of FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Hajiya Fatima Sulaiman Gummi, said the agency had undertaken series of activities for the benefits of the pilgrims.
She listed the activities to include: sensitisation and orientation exercise, induction courses at the area councils’ level, medical screening of all intending pilgrims and immunisation exercises.
“The FCT Administration, through the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, has secured befitting accommodation for its contingent in Makkah.
“I wish to call on all our intending pilgrims from the FCT to be law-abiding and respect all policies. I will also call on our pilgrims to strictly abide by the transport system regulations, feeding arrangement and luggage policy as well as flight schedules,” Gummi advised.
The minister was received at the Permanent Hajj Camp by the FCT 2013 Amirul Hajj, Gen. Abdullahi Bagudu Mamman (rtd); Chairman of the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Ustaz Musa Mohammed; a member of the board, Ambassador Abdulwahab Mohammed Saleh; Chairman of Ministerial Committee on the FCT 2013 Hajj, Alhaji Yusuf Dayyabu and Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of State on Area Councils and Resettlement, Alhaji Yusuf Tsaiyabu, among others.
Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has urged the 246 Muslim pilgrims from the state to be good ambassadors in Saudi Arabia.
He spoke yesterday at a farewell programme held at the Cultural Centre in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
Fayemi, who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, said the pilgrimage was for spiritual rejuvenation and not business transactions.
Urging the pilgrims to avoid drug peddling and acts that can tarnish the state’s image, he said: “You must strictly comply with Saudi Arabia laws. You should prove that Ekitis are dignified and law-abiding people, who hate being embarrassed wherever they are.
“Do not carry forbidden drugs or contraband that can lead to deportation, imprisonment and the death penalty. Follow the instructions of officials of the Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, who have made adequate arrangements for your welfare and are better informed about hajj rules.
“I have been informed that law-abiding pilgrims are treated by the Saudi Arabia Government as guests of Allah and that whoever violates the law will be treated as a common criminal.
“Please make good choices, so that you can enjoy the wonderful hospitality of your host country.”
Fayemi’s wife, Bisi, who gave hijabs branded with Ekiti State logo to female pilgrims, said the gesture was to create a unique identity for them. She was represented by Mrs. Modupe Owolabi.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Alhaji Abdul-Ganiyu Owolabi urged the pilgrims to pray for the state.
After the programme, the pilgrims left for Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, where they were expected to leave for Saudi Arabia last night.