Delta State Approves Over ₦2 Billion for 2026 Christian Pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan
The Delta State Government has committed more than ₦2 billion to sponsor successful Christian pilgrims to Israel and Jordan under its 2026 pilgrimage programme. The Commissioner for the Bureau of Special Duties, Erijo Etacherure, disclosed this in Asaba on Friday, November 6, while briefing the State Head of Media for the pilgrimage, Latimore Oghenesivbe.
According to the commissioner, the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) will begin screening intending pilgrims on November 11. The screening exercise is scheduled to take place at the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Secretariat in Asaba.
Submission Deadline and Eligibility Rules
Etacherure directed applicants who collected registration forms to complete and submit them by November 9. Forms are to be submitted to the Executive Secretary of the Delta State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board. He warned that applicants who fail to meet the deadline would not be attended to at the screening venue, and advised all intending pilgrims to present valid ECOWAS international passports for the exercise.
The commissioner explained that the NCPC would determine applicants’ eligibility, adding that its decisions would be final. He also warned that previous beneficiaries of any state-government-sponsored pilgrimage to Israel or Jordan were ineligible to apply.
“Any individual who had previously participated in any state-government-sponsored pilgrimage to Israel or Jordan is not eligible to apply. Such application will be automatically disqualified,” he said.
Full Sponsorship and Additional Support
Successful applicants will receive full sponsorship, alongside additional financial assistance while in the Holy Land. Etacherure explained that the extra support would enable pilgrims to purchase religious materials and modest gifts for their loved ones.
He said the initiative reflected Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s commitment to promoting citizens’ spiritual wellbeing. Describing Christian pilgrimage as an opportunity for spiritual renewal, personal reflection and a deeper understanding of biblical history, he noted that pilgrims would also pray for Nigeria, Delta State and their respective families during the journey.
“Visiting biblical sites will enable pilgrims experience important locations associated with the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. This will deepen their knowledge of scripture and strengthen their faith,” Etacherure said.
Welfare Arrangements and Broader Benefits
The commissioner said the benefits of the pilgrimage would extend beyond individual spiritual enrichment to families, churches and communities. He expressed confidence that beneficiaries would return with stronger moral convictions and greater appreciation for peace, compassion and tolerance, values he said could promote responsible citizenship, social harmony and peaceful coexistence across the state.
Etacherure maintained that investment in spiritual tourism formed part of the government’s broader human development strategy, arguing that infrastructure development and economic growth should complement efforts to strengthen society’s moral and spiritual foundations.
On welfare, he assured intending pilgrims that comprehensive arrangements had been concluded for the exercise. A Delta medical team will collaborate with the NCPC medical team to provide healthcare services and attend to pilgrims’ medical needs throughout the pilgrimage.
He urged residents to pray for peace, unity and sustainable development in the state and the country, stressing that collective responsibility, moral discipline and commitment to the common good remained essential to societal progress.
Approval Amid Economic Hardship
The approval for the pilgrimage comes amid socioeconomic challenges facing the state. The Debt Management Office (DMO) put Delta State’s total debt at ₦369.30 billion as of June 30, 2026. In September 2025, the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) claimed that 1.5 million people in the state lived in multi-dimensional poverty.
Several media reports, including investigations by the Guardian and other Nigerian media organisations, have documented significant challenges facing Delta State’s education, road, healthcare and electricity infrastructure.
