By Justine John Dyikuk –
No fewer than 130 pilgrims from Adamawa State, North-Eastern Nigeria were led to Rome by the Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese, Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza where he met the Holy Father, Pope Francis and called for prayers.
The Bishop who is also the Chairman of The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Adamawa State Chapter asked the Roman Pontiff to pray for Nigeria as the country is heading for the polls.
In his private audience with the successor of St. Peter, the Bishop who was in company of two first class traditional rulers on the delegation, the Kwande of Lugunda, Dishon Kurhaye and Muru Mbula, Altam Biyapo and the President of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN) – the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria, Reverend Joel S. Billi received papal blessings.
Other prominent persons who made the trip were the Vice Chairman of Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria, Bishop Peter Bartimawus as well as leaders and faithful from other Churches.
Commenting on the experience, one of the pilgrims, David Simon Dzalla disclosed that “It was the first time ever the Vatican City Secretary of State would reserve seats on the front row for any Nigerian contingent. Even when [we] arrived late at St. Peter’s Square, the seats remained reserved.”
He added that, “Indeed, Bishop Mamza deserves all the accolades emanating from the success of the pilgrimage in Rome.”
The trip which was originally scheduled for 2021was rescheduled because of logistical challenges.
The religious exercise was sponsored by the Governor of Adamawa State, Alhaji Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri and facilitated by the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Abuja as well as the Adamawa State Christian Pilgrims’ Welfare Board.
In a multi-religious country like Nigeria, state and federal sponsorship of pilgrims to Jerusalem, Rome, Greece and Mecca affords both Christians and Muslims respectively the opportunity to live out their faith and offer prayers for the nation.
Some of the pilgrims who spoke to the press expressed appreciation to the governor “who in spite of the poor state of the economy” and other demands like meeting “obligations such as payment of salaries, pensions and other social benefits in their domains, is able to manage the lean resources of the state and still make out some to sponsor hundreds citizens to either Rome or Mecca.”
They maintained that “the pilgrimage was a very successful and rewarding exercise because the pilgrims of Adamawa State showed their best behaviour while in the Holy Land.”
They assured that, “The impact of the exercise on the country, state and participants will not require the use of an apparatus to be seen in the near future.”