By Kabir Muhammad
Abuja – The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello has called on the Christian intending Pilgrims to pray for Nigeria and its leadership in order to make the country a better place.
Bello made the call a farewell ceremony for the 2016 contingent of the FCT Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem, Israel at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, on Wednesday in Abuja.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that should be used for spiritual rejuvenation to pray for oneself, the nation and those in position of authority, for God to guide them to move the nation to greater heights.’’
He urged the pilgrims to reflect on the time, amount of money spent to prepare and embark on this holy journey to make them return to be good citizens.
According to him, the spiritual change and awakening during this blessed journey would go a long way to transcend in the entire community and thereby making the country a better place.
He advised the pilgrims to be guided and humbled by the God given opportunity to embark on this religious journey, having in mind that all in this life is vanity.
The minister noted that Israel is a Holy Land for all Abrahamic religions namely: Judaism, Christianity and Islam, which should be a reason to make us more united.
“We are all children and offspring of Adam and Eve and therefore we should be united for the good of the entire humanity.”
Speaking at the occasion, the Sen. representing the Federal Capital Territory, Sen. Philip Tanimu Aduda, urged the pilgrims to be good Ambassadors of the FCT and the country at large.
He also seized the opportunity to extol the people-oriented policies and programmes of the minister particularly his effort in rescuing the 10 kidnapped persons in the Kuje Area Council of the territory recently.
The Minister of State (Aviation), Sen. Hadi Sirika who also spoke at the occasion told the pilgrims to shun anything that could hinder the unity of the country.
“We are all one, because no one can be a Muslim without believing in Jesus Christ”.
Also in his remark, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Mr. Ujah Tor charged the pilgrims not to abscond while in the Holy Land.