AWKA – One hundred and eighty-four intending Christian Pilgrims on Friday departed Anambra State en-route Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu for this year’s pilgrimage to Israel.
In an address in before their departure from Awka, Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra, represented by his deputy, Dr Nkem Okeke, urged them to be good ambassadors of the state.
He reminded the intending pilgrims to pray for the stability and development of the state and the country at large during the trip.
The governor told them not to lose sight of the reason for the trip as pilgrimage was purely a spiritual matter which should be taken seriously.
He advised them offer fervent prayers for the upliftment and prosperity of Anambra and the entire country.
“We need security, peace, purposeful youth and stability in order to achieve great heights for our children and unborn generations, “ Okeke said.
The governor said that the need for prayers could not be over-emphasised as the nation draws closer to the general elections in 2015.
“ We want peace and unity to achieve greater developmental strides and grace to work and serve the people in order to keep good legacies behind us, “ he said.
Earlier in an address, Dr Levi Monanu of the State Pilgrims Welfare Board said that out of the 850 slots allocated to the state for this year’s pilgrimage, only 184 persons were due to make the trip on Friday in the first batch.
The intending pilgrims departed the state about 2p.m. to the Akanu Ibiam International Airport.
Some of the intending pilgrims told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that they would be good ambassadors of the state and country.
Dr Peter Ogbunka, one of them, said that he would aim at carrying out what he termed “spiritual repairs“ while on the trip as well as offer medical services where necessary.
Mrs Ngozi Mba, Mr Joseph Uchendu, Mr Chiadi Josiah and Mr Ikechukwu Mba, on their part, promised to be good representatives of the state. (NAN)
