Christian Pilgrims' Welfare Board

INFORMATION ON EDO STATE CHRISTIAN PILGRIMS
WELFARE BOARD, BENIN CITY

“Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; whose heart is set on Pilgrimage”
(NIV) - Ps. 84:5. “And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord Almighty and to entreat Him” (NIV) – Zech. 8:22

What is Christian Pilgrimage?

Christian Pilgrimage is a journey made by Christians to holy sites in Jerusalem and other associated locations.Christians Pilgrimage to the”Land of Israel”, the land of the Bible, is a long standing tradition going right back to the beginning of the Christian era. Pilgrims came from all parts of the then known world with a strong desire to see for themselves the place where the “Word was made flesh”, walking in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and following the traces of the history of Salvation in the land in which it took place.

What are the benefits of Holy Pilgrimage?

1. To experience firsthand the land where our faith was born.
2. To connect us to the history of our faith. Standing where our Lord was baptized, crucified, or buried connects us more intimately to our Christian faith.
3. To grow in the deepest understanding of the scriptures.
4. It points us back to the miracles of Christ, e.g. at Cana of Galilee, you will remember where Jesus turned water to wine; at Bethany, you will recall the miraculous raising of Lazarus from the dead.
5. It brings spiritual renewal and revival. The sacred places you will see enter and pray will help to renew your encounter with God and your experience with Him will become more intense than ever.
6. Holy Living: The exercise affects lives morally and spiritually. This builds up holiness because the Christian life is a call to holy living.
7. To witness the miraculous restoration of the nation of Israel

Some of the sites to be visited in Israel, Egypt and Rome include:

(I) Nazareth where Jesus spent most of his first 30 years of his life on earth.
(II) Basilica of the Annunciation where the Angel of the Lord announced the birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary.
(III) Mount Tabor, Mount of Transfiguration.
(IV) Church of the multiplication of loaves and fishes.
(V) Baptismal site on the banks of the River Jordan.
(VI) Sycamore tree in Jericho city.
(VII) The Dead Sea, the lowest spot on the face of the earth.
(VIII) Mount Sinai in Egypt where Moses received the Ten Commandments.
(IX) Mount of Olives.
(X) Bethlehem, birth place of Jesus in the Grotto.
(XI) The Garden Tomb.
(XII) The Garden of Gethsemane.
(XIII) The Vitican City

Who can go on Pilgrimage?

Every Christian. Are you a serving or retired Civil servant, Politician, Head of corporation or Business outfit, Businessman/woman, Royal father/Clan head, Farmer, Housewife, Bishop, Clergy/Clergy wife or member of a church? You are being invited to partake in Holy Pilgrimage.

What is the cost of the journey?

It was N 412,000 in 2009. Tentatively it is fixed for N 450,000 in 2010. That amount will take care of your visa, flight, accommodation, transportation, insurance, e.t.c. in the Holy Land for 12 days. It is highly subsidized by the Federal Government. You can pay instalmentally into any of the following Banks:
a.) Equitorial Trust Bank Account No. 0360020085912
b.) Zenith Bank Account No. 6212701712
c.) Ecobank Account No. 0770050222593201
Forward payment Tellers to the Office of the Secretary.

Who pays for the journey?

You are to pay or seek for sponsorship.

Any other opportunity?

The journey to the Holy Land of Israel and Rome might be your only opportunity to travel outside Nigeria. Visa is automatic for all approved Pilgrims. Every intending Pilgrim who has no passport is to go for his/her e-passport at the Immigration Office, in any State Capital in Nigeria.

Is that all?

No. Every successful Pilgrim to the Holy Land receives a certificate titled JERUSALEM PILGRIM (JP), which you will thereafter bear as a title after your name.

Can I sponsor somebody?

Yes. You can sponsor your aged (retired) parents as birthday celebration gift.

Any other information?

Yes. Come to the Edo State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board Office located at Room No. 228, 2nd Floor, Secretariat Builting, Sapele Road, Benin City for more information or call any of the following GSM numbers: 08134213065 or 08058500662

OTHER INFORMATION?

1. The Edo State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board consists of a Chairman,
Rev. Fr. Andrew A. Obinyan, JP and 21 others who are part-time
Members.
2. The Board has a Secretary, Venerable Joseph E. Osueni, JP who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Board and is responsible for the day to day running of the Board.
3. The functions of the Board include:
(a) To protect and safe guard the interest and welfare of the Pilgrims of the State origin journeying to and from any place of pilgrim.
(b) To make suitable arrangements for the transport and accommodation for the Pilgrims; and
(c) To assist the Pilgrims in matters relating to immigration and currency exchange

SUPERVISORY MINISTRY

The Supervisory Ministry is the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. It is headed by :
Mrs Inumidun Stella Idehen – Hon. Commissioner
 

CONTACT
Edo State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board Office is located at Room No. 228,
2nd Floor, Secretariat Building, Sapele Road, Benin City.
 Tel: 08134213065 or 08058500662