The Abia State Christian Welfare Pilgrims Board has kicked of activities that would culminate in the 2017 Holy Pilgrimage to Israel in April this year.

Flagging off the presentation of forms for the pilgrimage to the public, chairman of the board, Bishop emeritus, His Grace, Most Rev. Ugochukwu Usaoma Ezuoke, enjoined intending pilgrims from the state to obtain the form from the Board's Secretary, fill and return within three weeks.

“This year’s pilgrimage to Israel will hold during Easter in April,” Rev. Ezuoke said, adding that the period affords Christians “good opportunity to fulfill a very important desire to visit Israel and see where Jesus Christ, the saviour, was born, where he grew up, where he died and resurrected from the dead to save those who believe and from where he ascended into heaven.”

He said the board was poised to organise a hitch-free pilgrimage, though it would be the maiden outing for the board.

According to him, the board will carry out a proper screening of intending pilgrims to avoid any form of scandals rocking Abia pilgrims, assuring that “the board will be fair and would operate on the principle of first come, first served.”

He thanked the state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu for giving his approval for the board to organise this year’s pilgrimage, assuring that the exercise would be carried out religiously.

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