Yakubu Gowon Airport Goes International As Pilgrims Depart
BY CHAMBERLAIN ODEY, JOS – The Yakubu Gowon Airport, Heipang, Jos has acquired international status as the 2020 Christian pilgrims to the Kingdom of Jordan depart from the airport in a well celebrated maiden flight.
According to the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Reverend Yakubu Pam, 2500 pilgrims nationwide are undertaking the exercise after “thorough screening”, in what he said is the first ever pilgrimage of Nigerian Christians to Kingdom of Jordan.
Pam said the 2020 pilgrimage was deferred last year because of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic which brought activities in the global system to a halt owing to the attendant lockdown and closure of international borders to check its lethal spread.
According to Pam; “The choice of Jordan to perform the 2020 pilgrimage became a necessity as Israel is still under lockdown”.
He however said that developments in Israel are still being monitored in the hope that it will open its borders for the 2021 pilgrimage starting in November this year.
In his own remarks, Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State, who was part of the flag-off ceremony could not hide his joy as he said the commencement of the airlift of pilgrims from the Yakubu Gowon Airport this time was a fulfillment of many positive things for Plateau State.
In the words of Lalong; “We are making history here today at the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Heipang, as we officially bid farewell to intending pilgrims to the Holy Land”.
The governor conveyed his gratitude to the Federal Government of President Muhammadu Buhari for approving that the nationwide flag-off of airlift of pilgrims be carried out in Plateau State, noting that “the significance of the flag-off exercise to the State is inestimable due to several factors”, including reaffirming the age-long fact that Plateau State is home of peace and tourism.
Lalong, who congratulated the pilgrims, urged them to consider the pilgrimage as an opportunity for spiritual growth, but warned them not to mistake the exercise as an opportunity for jamboree and frolicking.
He further said; “The full wrath of the law will be brought against any pilgrims who violates any of the rules especially the crime of absconding”.
