*Pray For Peaceful Elections
By; SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
Christians in Borno State have commended the governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum for sponsoring 101 faithful to Israel for the 2023 Christian pilgrimage.
The pilgrims who were led by the Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Borno State Chapter, Most Rev. Dr. John Bogna Bakeni to the holy land, equally appreciated the deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Usman Umar Kadafur for the successful coordination of the arrangement that has seen them through to the pilgrimage.
Speaking on Sunday shortly after visiting one of the holy sites in Jordan from where they proceeded to Jerusalem on Monday, Most Rev Dr. Bakeni who is the Auxiliary Bishop of Maiduguri Catholic Diocese, said the pilgrimage is an opportunity for the church to pray for peace as the country prepares for general elections this year.
The Bishop added that participation of faithful in the pilgrimage would enable them to renew their faith in the worship of God and to also walk in the path of Jesus Christ.
He urged the pilgrims to make the best of opportunity and see themselves as pilgrims instead of tourists.
“I commend our Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum for giving the Christians in the state this wonderful opportunity of renewing their faith by providing resources from the coffers of the state for their spiritual growth. I also commend the deputy governor for all his efforts at ensuring that the 2023 pilgrimage comes to fruition for the Christians in the state,” Most Rev Dr. Bakeni said.
Also speaking, the former Head of Service (HoS ) of the state, Barr. Simon Malgwi congratulated the pilgrims for making it to the holy land, and as well thanked Governor Zulum for making it possible for Christians in the state to participate in this year’s pilgrimage.
As a participant, Barr. Malgwi who is also the Adviser to Governor Zulum on legal matters, said haven read a lot of things from the Holy Bible coupled with the privilege to visit the holy land to see those things for himself, his faith in those things read in the Holy Book has been strengthened.
He added that participants witnessing those things written in the Holy Book by themselves in the holy land, would in turn return home to testify to those who had not visited the holy land that those things in the Holy Bible are not fiction, but reality.
A participant, Engr Ayuba Dawa, said his experience in the holy land has made him to believe that the Holy Bible is real.
“I am happy to be here. My eyes have seen, my hands have touched and even my legs have worked on those things said in the Bible. We will be praying for a peaceful 2023 general elections and total return of peace to Borno State and the country as a whole. I commend Governor Zulum for giving us the opportunity to renew our faith,” he said.
The trio of Ladi Pius, Dr. Adamu Arku and Achinari Bitrus, thanked Borno State Government for giving them the opportunity to embark on the pilgrimage and prayed that God will grant good health and wisdom to the governor in steering the affairs of the state.
