By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal Capital Territory Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board said it has put in place stringent conditions for all the intending pilgrims across the territory to curb abscondment and other unholy activities.
Director of the Board, Mr Dabara Vingo said the board had among other measures, engaged the services of several security operatives who mounts intelligent surveillance on the Pilgrims at all points.
He explained that the board, which is responsible for protecting and safeguarding the interest and welfare of christian pilgrims from Abuja to Holy land, would not tolerate ill acts that will portray FCT and Nigeria in bad light, as it warms up for second phase of the holy exercise.
On the just concluded ‘2021 main and 2022 Easter pilgrimage; the Director described the exercise as a huge success since in the last five years.
“This last pilgrimage was very successful. We went and came back with same numbers of Pilgrims.
“We achieved this through our pilgrimage activities. Even if you have the money and we give you the package cost , we don’t just accept your money and allow you to go. We subject all intending Pilgrims to rigorous screening.
“Once an intending Pilgrims submit their filled forms, we start screening to determine their intents , even in their absence.
“We have operatives from the Department of State Security ( DSS) the Police, Civil Defense, the Immigration and other relevant agencies that will investigate the persons”.
“The 2021 pilgrimage previously scheduled to take place November/December which couldn’t hold due to certain occurrences. And was taken over to this year’s Easter period, the 2022 Pilgrimage was merge with the 2021 pilgrimage. That’s why it’s been called the 2021 main and 2022 Easter pilgrimage.
“The body is pregnant of not only strengthening the spiritual life, but also trying to equip especially, the youths for a good livelihood & good knowledge. Though we have not been able to achieve that here. but by God’s Grace very soon we shall embark on it. This is skill acquisitions in the pilgrimage”.
