Delta: 315 Intending Pilgrims To Undergo Covid-19 Test On Sunday

…Okowa’s EAC To Report Daily Activities Of State Team At Holy Sites In Jordan

By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe

Chairman of Delta State Christians Pilgrims Board, Archbishop Cyril Odutemu, has said that the state government will airlift 315 pilgrims to Jordan on Monday or early hours of Tuesday next week, a six hour direct flight from Asaba International Airport to Amman.

The head of the state team made the disclosure on Monday while addressing intending pilgrims at the CAN Secretariat in Asaba, saying that a compulsory total number of four Covid-19 round trip tests will be conducted while the pre-departure blood samples for the test will be collected on Sunday, 29th September in Asaba.

He said the Covid-19 test results will be ready on Monday from mid-day and those cleared shall proceed to Asaba International Airport same day for final departure procedures and airborne to Jordan.

Archbishop Odutemu advised intending pilgrims to be of excellent conduct so as not to drag the enviable international reputation of Delta State, into negative publicity while in Jordan, pointing out that Islamic Sharia Laws are in enforce, and that decent dressing and proper inter personal relationship and decorum is required.

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“The State Government under the governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, has done so much for Christians, as far as Christians pilgrimage is concerned and the only way to encourage government is for us to conduct ourselves with required dignity and high standard of self discipline while in Jordan.

“We are also expected to pray fervently for Gov Okowa and his family, pray for the consistent development and economic advancement of Delta State, even as we pray for ourselves, family and friends.

“It is my prayer and hope that we shall return from the trip as a family without anybody missing, and to also return home with uncommon testimonies because God, will perform miracles as we pray at various holy sites.

“We shall visit the river where Jesus Christ was baptised, the place where God buried Moses, the dead sea, the community where Moses lived, some places where Elisha and Elijah performed awesome miracles, among important holy sites,” Odutemu assured.

In the same vein, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Rev Samuel Okoh, urged intending pilgrims to obey all laws, rules and regulations while in Jordan, to avoid the eagle eyes of Jordanian security operatives.

He warned that nobody is permitted to assist co-pilgrim with personal effects such as hand languages and other sealed items at departure and arrival airports in Asaba and Jordan.

“Don’t ever make the mistake of helping another person with personal effects, it may land you in jail if found that it contains prohibited items and narcotics. Avoid it, please.

“Our state team attire shall be in use as at when due, and we are expected to put it on for departure. The free clothe material given to us must be made, and each and everyone of us must wear it on Monday for departure to Jordan,” Okoh said.

The Pilgrims are of 2020 batch which was delayed as a result of the global out break of Covid-19 pandemic. And because Israel is still on lockdown, Jordan was approved as most suitable alternative for those willing to visit holy sites in that country.

The Executive Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Communications, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, will be on ground in Jordan, to daily update Deltans about holy sites visited by the State team, with photos/images, through social media global platforms and the conventional media.