Abuja – Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has urged the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to encourage Christians who are financially buoyant to help sponsor the less privileged Christians to embark on pilgrimage.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Celestine Ogugua, Head of Media, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), and made available to newsmen, on Wednesday in Abuja.
Tambuwal, according to the statement, said this in Sokoto during a sensitisation visit by the Executive Secretary of NCPC, Mr John-Kennedy Opara and his federal commissioners.
The governor urged Christian and Muslim communities to use pilgrimage as a platform to teach Nigerians how to become patriotic citizens.
He stressed the need for religious leaders to continually sensitise people on moral ethics and etiquette, especially from the religious point of view.
“This will help to inculcate the culture of being sincere and patriotic citizens.
“We should always do what is right because this will make our country move forward.’’[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
He urged Sokoto State Christian pilgrims to be good ambassadors of Nigeria and always exhibit good behaviour by standing out both within and outside the shores of Nigeria.
“We have to protect the interest of our country portray it in good light to outsiders.”
He affirmed that God had restored peace to the country and urged Nigerians to support the present administration to ensure that the country enjoys constant peace.
“Peace is a necessary requirement for development; without peace, we can never be developed as a country,’’ he said.
The statement said that Opara had earlier informed the governor of NCPC’s mission to Sokoto State and the benefits of embarking on holy pilgrimage.
He said that the commission runs four pilgrimages programmes in one calendar year: Easter pilgrimage, Youth pilgrimage, Family pilgrimage and the main pilgrimage which takes place between October and December.
He said that the Commission was already partnering with CAN to help pass the message across to churches to sponsor Christians for pilgrimage. (NAN)
