Abuja: Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God, have said government’s investment in holy pilgrimage is in the interest of its transformational agenda.

The two prominent clerics made the remark in Abuja on Friday while on a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC).

They expressed satisfaction with the work done by government, through the commission, saying its investments would not be a waste.

Adeboye said that it was in the interest of government that its citizens embarked on pilgrimage to the holy land.

The holy pilgrimage, he added, was necessary for the much needed transformation of the country, and stressed the need for government’s continuous investment in the exercise.

He expressed the hope that the attitudes of those who embarked on the pilgrimage would change for the better to justify government’s investments in the exercise.

“I want to say that encouraging Christians to go for the holy pilgrimage by government is not a waste of money.

“No one can stand on the mountain of transfiguration, see the tomb of Jesus, see Golgotha, or visit the garden of Gethsemane and remain the same spiritually. It is not just a visit or a holiday trip, but a life changing experience,” he added.

Adeboye urged the Federal Government to sustain the exercise, noting that it would go a long way to aid its transformation agenda.

I his remark, Oritsejafor said the exercise had far-reaching spiritual benefits than could be seen.

He said that the holy pilgrimage could change the disposition of many Nigerians, especially in the areas of good governance, transparency and patriotism.

Oritsejafor expressed optimism that the 2011 exercise would go down in history as one of the most successful exercises, especially with the maiden visit to Greece.

He added that the Federal Government would ensure that the bilateral air service agreement with Israel was signed before the commencement of the transportation of pilgrims.

The Chairman of the NCPC board, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, urged all Christian leaders in the country to pray for the success of the 2011 exercise.

He said the emphasis on this year’s exercise was on deepening the spiritual lives of Nigerians.

Okoh said the decision to expand the pilgrimage to Greece was prompted by the desire to deepen the spiritual lives of participants.

He debunked insinuations that pilgrimage was a jamboree, noting that spiritual upliftment was necessary for the much desired value reorientation in the country.

He said NCPC would work with all the tour guides to ensure that the goal of impacting on the spirituality of Nigerian pilgrims was achieved. (NAN)