25 out of the 137 intending Christian Pilgrims for this year’s (2018)
pilgrimage from Gombe State have been denied visas by the Israeli
authorities.
The Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Christian
Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mr. Joseph Iliya Bega who revealed this during
the farewell ceremony of the Pilgrims explained that no reason was given
by Israel for the denial.
He explained however that the affected
Pilgrims have been pleaded upon and were asked to forward names of
their choices to replace them within the next four days from Monday the
31st December 2018.
The Executive Secretary also stated that
another eight other Pilgrims had a delay in acquiring their visas but
explained that the delay in the visas can only delay their departure but
will not deny them the pilgrimage exercise.
In his farewell
speech, the Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, who
was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Charles Iliya urged the intending
Pilgrims to be worthy ambassadors of Gombe State and Nigeria by ensuring
high sense of humility, responsibility and dedication to the Almighty
God.
He called on them to “avoid all forms of evil vices such as
drug trafficking, abscondment or any act of indiscipline that will
negatively portray the image of our beloved State and country”.
He
also cautioned them to be careful with whom they converse with and what
they say, shun sensitive diplomatic discussion and always conduct their
affairs with discipline.
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