The Delta Government has committed more than N2bn to sponsor successful Christian pilgrims to Israel and Jordan for the 2026 pilgrimage programme.\n<\/p>\n
The State Commissioner for Bureau of Special Duties, Mr Erijo Etacherure, disclosed this in Asaba on Friday.\n<\/p>\n
He said the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission would begin screening intending pilgrims on November 11.\n<\/p>\n
Etacherure spoke while briefing the State Head of Media for the pilgrimage, Dr Latimore Oghenesivbe.<\/p>\n
He said the screening exercise would take place at the Christian Association of Nigeria Secretariat, Asaba.\n<\/p>\n
According to him, applicants who collected registration forms must complete and submit them by November 9.\n<\/p>\n
He directed applicants to submit their forms to the Executive Secretary of the Delta State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board.<\/p>\n
\u201cApplicants who fail to meet the deadline would not be attended to at the screening venue.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cAll intending pilgrims should present valid ECOWAS international passports for the exercise,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Etacherure explained that the NCPC would determine applicants\u2019 eligibility, adding that its decisions would be final.\n<\/p>\n
He warned that previous beneficiaries of any state-government-sponsored pilgrimage to Israel or Jordan were ineligible.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cAny individual who had previously participated in any state-government-sponsored pilgrimage to Israel or Jordan is not eligible to apply.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cSuch application will be automatically disqualified,\u201d he said.\n<\/p>\n
The commissioner said successful applicants would receive full sponsorship, alongside additional financial assistance while in the Holy Land.<\/p>\n
He explained that the additional support would enable pilgrims to purchase religious materials and modest gifts for their loved ones.\n<\/p>\n
Etacherure said the initiative reflected Governor Sheriff Oborevwori\u2019s commitment to promoting citizens\u2019 spiritual well-being.\n<\/p>\n
He described Christian pilgrimage as an opportunity for spiritual renewal, personal reflection and a deeper understanding of biblical history.\n<\/p>\n
He said pilgrims would also pray for Nigeria, Delta State and their respective families during the religious journey.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cVisiting biblical sites will enable pilgrims to experience important locations associated with the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will deepen their knowledge of scripture and strengthen their faith,\u201d he said.\n<\/p>\n
Etacherure said the benefits would extend beyond individual spiritual enrichment to families, churches and communities.<\/p>\n
He expressed confidence that beneficiaries would return with stronger moral convictions and a greater appreciation for peace, compassion and tolerance.\n<\/p>\n
According to him, these values could promote responsible citizenship, social harmony and peaceful coexistence across the state.\n<\/p>\n
The commissioner said investment in spiritual tourism formed part of the government\u2019s broader human development strategy.\n<\/p>\n
He maintained that infrastructure development and economic growth should complement efforts to strengthen society\u2019s moral and spiritual foundations.\n<\/p>\n
Etacherure also assured intending pilgrims that comprehensive welfare arrangements had been concluded for the exercise.\n<\/p>\n
He said the Delta medical team would collaborate with the NCPC medical team to provide healthcare throughout the pilgrimage.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThe medical teams will provide healthcare services and attend to the medical needs of pilgrims throughout the pilgrimage,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He urged residents to pray for peace, unity and sustainable development in the state and the country.\n<\/p>\n
Etacherure stressed that collective responsibility, moral discipline and commitment to the common good remained essential to societal progress.\n<\/p>\n
NAN\n <\/p>\n
Source: <\/p>\n
The Delta Government has committed more than N2bn to sponsor successful Christian pilgrims to Israel and Jordan for the 2026 pilgrimage programme. The State Commissioner for Bureau of Special Duties,… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11625","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalnigerianews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11625","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalnigerianews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalnigerianews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalnigerianews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalnigerianews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11625"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/globalnigerianews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11625\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalnigerianews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11625"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalnigerianews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11625"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalnigerianews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11625"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}