The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, has cautioned Nigerian Christian pilgrims travelling to Israel and the Kingdom of Jordan to uphold national values and avoid absconding during their trip.
The minister made the remarks during a pre-departure orientation in Abuja for over 142 intending pilgrims.
Dr. Mahmoud emphasised the importance of representing Nigeria with dignity, stressing that pilgrims serve as ambassadors of the country while abroad.
“Stringent measures have been instituted to prevent abscondment and any act capable of bringing disrepute to the country,” she said.
She also called on the pilgrims to pray for President Bola Tinubu and the team behind the Renewed Hope Agenda, encouraging support for efforts to improve national governance and unity.
“For those contemplating absconding or engaging in activities harmful to our country’s image, I advise you to reconsider.
The Federal Government has put proactive measures in place to counter such efforts,” Mahmoud warned.
The Acting Director of the FCT Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Gloria Dandam, reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance stance on abscondment.
She stated that guarantors of pilgrims who fail to return would face legal consequences.
“We don’t anticipate any abscondment, but if it happens, the guarantors will be arrested and prosecuted.
They signed legal documents and will be held responsible,” Dandam explained.
Dandam further noted that the FCT has maintained a strong record in recent years, with no cases of pilgrims failing to return from previous trips.
The orientation session covered guidelines on behaviour, safety, and compliance with travel regulations to ensure the pilgrims’ conduct reflects positively on Nigeria.
