By Priscilla Campbell,
Minna
The Israeli government has ranked Niger State, Nigeria pilgrims to the Holy Land as the best, following an appraisal conducted by the Tailor Made Tours, Israel (TMT) on other states that came on pilgrimage between 2019 and date.
The President of TMT, Israel, Mrs Josephine Zinder, during the Jesus Pilgrims ceremony in honour of pilgrims at Zipory in Jerusalem, stated that Nigeria was very precious to the nation of Israel and well respected.
According to her, “You are the best set of pilgrims from Nigeria, when you prayed God answered; we have done assessment with other states that we have hosted, but Niger State is the best.”
She commended President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State for their continuous support for pilgrims’ participation every year.
Zinger said, “Nigeria is the only country in the world that sponsors pilgrims. I commend the President of Nigeria, but I want the Governor of Niger State and other government officials to sponsor more Christians to the Holy Land because they (pilgrims) pray for you here alot.”
She urged Nigerians not to criticize its government too much but noted the need to always pray and act.
“The secret of Nigeria’s greatness is in the prayers of its people. Israel government knows that Nigeria is the future of the world and we (Israel) are sharing every secret with Nigeria because there is trust and mutual relationship.
Also, the leader of the Niger State Christian Pilgrims delegation to this year’s pilgrimage, Pastor Yerima El’Yakim Samaila, described the current group of pilgrims as the best he had led in the past six years.
“For the past six years that I have led pilgrims to the Holy Land, this is the best group so far,” he stated.
“I commend the Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, for his continuous support and sponsorship. We can only pray and ask for more sponsorship because every pilgrim comes to the holy Land to pray for the state.”
The Niger state Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. Mathias Echioda, stated, “This is a memorable Pilgrimage, because this is the first time praises and commendation have thronged in for Nigerians and especially Niger state as the best state in pilgrimage.”
In her remark, the Acting Director, Christian Department, Niger state Pilgrimage Welfare Board, Joanna Pada, commended Governor Sani Bello for the sponsorship, adding that over 90% of the pilgrims are first timers and are very happy.