The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) yesterday, 27th of June, joined his counterpart, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Reverend Ujah Tor Ujah, in the flagging off ceremony of NCPC’s Easter pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The event took place in the GAT Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The NAHCON chairman, Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad, charged the Christian pilgrims to be prayerful for the country while in the holy land. He ceased the occasion to call on people of all faiths to coexist in peace and to sanctify human life as no one is allowed to kill another except the legal system constitutionally entrusted with the responsibility of carrying out that function. He urged Nigerians not to give in to divisiveness of the devil whether via religion, tradition, political or other socio-cultural factors. He emphasized that for Nigeria to reach greater heights, we must live together in harmony and cherish human life, as The Creator Himself considers human life the most sacred of His creations.
The NAHCON chairman disclosed during the occasion that by the Nigerian Muslim pilgrims airlift for 2018 Hajj would commence in July. He therefore urged them to include in their prayers, a successful and smooth Hajj operations.
Barrister Mukhtar prayed for God’s protection of the Christian pilgrims and prayed that their prayers be answered. He wished them all the best and thanked his host, Rev. Ujah, for the invitation extended to NAHCON.
The inaugural flight comprised over 300 Christian pilgrims from Benue State.
Meanwhile, answering questions from journalists after the event, the NAHCON Chairman responded to questions on the recent killings in Plateau state with a call on the perpetrators, their instigators and their sponsors to fear the day of reckoning. He reminded them that even if they escape being apprehended by human beings, they cannot evade the wrath of God on judgement day. He prayed to God to give the leadership of this country the strength and wisdom to bring all the killings to an end.
Fatima Sanda Usara
Head, Public Affairs Division