– Pray for Nigeria, pilgrims urged
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Friday concluded the transportation of Nigeria’s pilgrims to this year’s Hajj with the arrival of about 190, making up 37,746 pilgrims now in Saudi Arabia.
The last batch flew in to the country through a Fly Nass airline from Abuja, which conveyed five pilgrims from Kaduna State, 14 members of medical team and 171 others.
The operation was conducted in 101 flights undertaken by Max Air, Fly Nass and Medview Ltd. from various locations in Nigeria,and had targeted 55,000 pilgrims.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Hajj inaugural flight took off with 446 Kogi Pilgrims on July 21 in Abuja, followed by 382 from Nasarawa State.
With the latest, 37,746 Nigerian pilgrims have now joined about 1.6 million pilgrims worldwide performing the Hajj in the Holy land this year.
The Saudi Government had announced the figure, saying 233,000 of the total were domestic pilgrims now in Makkah,while others were being expected.
Saudi’s General Overseer of Passports, Sulaiman Al-Yahya, said 18 individuals were being prosecuted for illegally transporting pilgrims without permits.
The Nigerian pilgrims are also expected to join others worldwide to perform the Hajj rites on Monday on Arafat Day, and later observe the Eid-El-Kabir on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) on Sunday urged Christian pilgrims in Jerusalem, Israel, to spiritually fight for the liberation of Nigeria.
Rev. Tor Ujah, the NCPC’s Executive Secretary, made the call in St. Peter, Gallicantu Church, Jerusalem.
“Freedom is supposed to be free but you have to struggle for it. Successful nations lived for thousand years.
“Nigeria is a chosen nation by God, because there is no nation with spiritual manpower and capacity for prayer as Nigeria.
“We are optimistic that God will give us the capacity to influence the whole world. God’s purpose for Nigeria must be fulfilled,” he said.
The executive secretary said as Christian faithful, “we will battle any spirit that stands against the progress of the country.
“There is no reason that Nigeria will be mentioned among the backward nations”.
Ujah also urged Christians to live an exemplary life by praying to their leaders always instead of criticising them.
The text was taken from the Book of Acts of the Apostle 1:6-8 and Isaiah 9:6.
Dignitaries in attendance included the Wife of the Deputy Governor of Benue State, state Commissioners from Benue, Plateau and Niger states, among others.
NAN
