By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe
The Chaplain of the Imo State Government House Chapel, Rev. Fr. Prof. Gilbert Alaribe, yesterday, September 24, disclosed that Imo State was at the forefront of Christian pilgrimage in Nigeria, attributing the cheering development to Governor Hope Uzodimma’s large-heartedness.
The priest, who is also the Chairman, Imo State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, made the remarks while fielding questions from newsmen during the official Flag-off of airlifting of the first batch of 2025 Imo State Christian Pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan christened: “Pilgrimage of Renewed Hope for Total Transformation.”
Fr. Alaribe, expressed joy and gratitude to God that many months of preparations, anxious waiting and prayers had come to fruition with the event. He prayed for its success, disclosing that 310 pilgrims would be airlifted for the first batch, while the remaining of the1000 selected pilgrims for the 2025 pilgrimage would be part of the next two batches.
The Catholic clergyman, reflected on the importance of the exercise in the affairs of individuals and the state, and commended Governor Uzodimma for demonstrating his love for the state and the citizens through the generous and uncommon sponsorship of the Christian pilgrimage exercise.
His words: “We’re most grateful to His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, our governor who has made this exercise possible. Imo State is in forefront of Christian pilgrimage in Nigeria all because of the large-heartedness of our governor who wants the best for his citizens.
“He is a governor who wants his people to go to the Holy Land and see the bible come alive; and to encounter God and be transformed.
When you transform citizens, it is easier to transform the whole society. So, we are most grateful to him and we will continue to pray for our governor and the entire state.”
The Government House Chaplain, encouraged the pilgrims to represent the state well with good conduct, and to leverage their months of preparations to make the exercise a memorable spiritual experience, so that with right dispositions, they may have the best of encounter with God.
In his own contribution, the Secretary, Imo State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Rev. Cannon Kelechi Ejimgini, noted that the event was a reflection of answered prayers not only for individual pilgrims, but for the state because of its spiritual benefits.
“When this number of people travel to this Holy Land and pour their heart unto God concerning Imo State, I think that something tremendous is going to happen as God will stretch His hands of blessings upon the state,” Cannon Ejimgini, asserted.
He hailed Governor Uzodimma for demonstrating his love for Jesus Christ and the people of Imo State by ensuring that they do not only enjoy the dividends of democracy, but spiritual benefits of encountering God through the pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, some of the pilgrims while interacting with newsmen, expressed excitement for taking part in the Holy Land pilgrimage, describing such as a lifetime opportunity. They thanked God for their inclusion, while showering gratitude on Governor Uzodimma for his demonstration of love and concerns for the welfare of the citizens in a holistic manner.
They also commended Fr. Alaribe and his team for a thorough and organized selection process and preparations, assuring to be good ambassadors of the state, as well as to seize every moment for spiritual growth and personal transformation. One of them, Ven. Dr. Festus Opara declared: “We expect to see the places where Jesus Christ lived and visited and be part of the fellowship.”
Other respondents included: Mr. Mbaleme Sunday, Mrs. Joy Innocent Erimnjo and Ohagwara Chibuike Patrick among others.
