By YANGE IKYAA

The governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has bagged the best award for his sponsorship of Christian pilgrims in Southwestern Nigeria in the 2020 NCPC maiden pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Jordan, which took place between July to September, 2021.

The award was formally presented to him by Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam, executive secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), during a sensitization visit to the governor at Lagos House, Marina, on Friday, January 7.

The NCPC boss reiterated that the commission embarked on its 2020 maiden Pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Jordan and recorded landmark success in the area of zero abscondment, zero mortality and zero morbidity.

He explained that after such a successful pilgrimage exercise to a new pilgrimage destination, the commission considered it necessary to honour those who supported it.

To this effect, the NCPC helmsman said that the Lagos State governor was among the governors who sponsored a large chunk of pilgrims to the holy land of Jordan.

In his words, “you are the number two highest sponsor of Christian pilgrims in Nigeria after Plateau State and the number one highest sponsor of Christian pilgrims in Southwest.”

The Plateau-born clergyman stated that the award was to encourage the the Lagos State governor for his support to NCPC and Christian pilgrimage in general.

According to him,” we want the world to know that you have done a lot for the church”.

Rev. Pam stressed that pilgrimage is not just about executing projects, but is divine and those who sponsor pilgrims to the Holy Land stand to gain spiritually.

“Thus, by this award, we are telling you to do more,” he said.

Pam informed his host that NCPC would commence the 2021 main pilgrimage to Israel, Jordan and Rome from February 2022.

He further disclosed that Israeli authorities would soon open their borders to international travels, but with a caveat that every intending pilgrim must be fully vaccinated.

Pam further hinted that the commission would embark on “state of readiness visit” to Israel on 26th January 2022, preparatory to the commencement of the 2021 main pilgrimage exercise.

He revealed that interested intending pilgrims would have the opportunity of visiting Rome as NCPC would dedicate a batch for pilgrims who would want to visit Rome.

He urged the Lagos governor to be part of leaders who would be in Rome to pray.

The NCPC boss also stressed the need for fervent prayers for this year, being a year with so many political activities.

He commended the governor for his infrastructural development in Lagos. He also particularly praised him for the effective and efficient manner in which he and his team handled and contained the COVID-19 pandemic in Lagos State.

The NCPC boss further appreciated Governor Sanwo-Olu for the level of wisdom and maturity with which he handled the ENDSARS Protest in Lagos.

Responding, governor hailed the visionary and purposeful leadership of Rev. Pam in just this one year and half in the saddle. Sanwo-Olu further commended the commission for the feat it achieved with the success story of its maiden pilgrimage to Jordan, even in the face of the global pandemic.

The governor explained that despite the initial skepticism about the Jordan pilgrimage, being the first time ever, “God gave you the strength and wisdom to execute the plans”.

He stressed that the cardinal objective of his administration is to give the people renewed hope of better life, and also affirmed that governance started in the Bible and therefore leaders should be humble with leadership so that the people could be better citizens and live a fulfilled life.

The Lagos governor noted with delight that the vision of his administration is not different from that of NCPC.

His words: “Our vision is not different from that of NCPC.”

Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed that “the NCPC award is for all of us to do more in terms of advocacy, do proper counseling and to represent the country well while on pilgrimage.”

He promised to step up his effort in terms of sponsorship of pilgrims and to do everything possible to ensure the state maintains its leading position in the Southwest.

According to him, “we want to assure you that we will give you the needed support, we will continue to do our best to ensure that the real essence of pilgrimage is achieved and also do everything with conscience.”