Again, Uzodimma  wins Most Pilgrims-Friendly  Governor  of the year award

… Described as Pilgrimage Ambassador

 By Chris Anucha, reporting from Israel

The Imo State Governor, Distinguished Senator (Dr) Hope Odidika Uzodimma, has once again, beaten other governors in the country, to clinch this year’s award, as the most Pilgrims-friendly Governor of the year, 2025.

It would be recalled that Senator Hope Uzodimma won the same award in 2024, for sponsoring the highest number of Christian Pilgrims in the country,   to Israel on Holy pilgrimage, totallying 1,000. He repeated the same feat in 2025.

The award was announced by the Executive  Secretary of  Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission(NCPC), RT. Rev. Stephen T.V Adegbite, during  the issuing of certificates of  participation  to  those, who took part in this year’s  pilgrimage to Israel, which took  place   Thursday evening,   at the  prestigious   King  Solomon Hotel, Tiberias.

Bishop Adegbite, who described Governor Uzodimma as a friend and brother, commended him for his consistency in sponsoring pilgrims to the Holy Land, highlighting his commitment to uplifting the spiritual well-being of Imo people.

Hear Bishop Adegbite: “The governor sponsored 1,000 pilgrims to the Holy Land in 2023, and many thought he did that because, he was seeking re-election; this year again, he has sponsored 1,000,  even when he is not seeking anything. As Pilgrimage Ambassador, Governor Uzodimma would help to coordinate other governors, to advance Christian Pilgrimage in Nigeria.”

The NCPC boss also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for “setting a precedent in pilgrimage in Nigeria, by being overwhelmingly supportive to both Christian and Muslim pilgrimages; his support for pilgrimage is unprecedented.”

Adegbite also thanked the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her “unwavering support to Mr. President, and for playing significant roles in Nigeria’s history.”

Bishop Adegbite didn’t stop there, he  also applauded the  Vice President,  Kashim Shettima,  and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, for their contributions to the growth and development of the country.

The NCPC boss lauded the Charge D’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Israel, Mr. Ezekiel Ikwe, for representing Nigeria well in Israel, despite challenges. He also thanked the Chairman of Imo State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Rev. Fr. Gilbert Alaribe, the ground handlers, President of Lourdes, Mr. Simon Makhlourf and CEO of Aerologistics, RevdOkeyIkeri, for a well-coordinated pilgrimage exercise.

Earlier, the Charge D’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Israel, Mr. Ezekiel Ikwe, thanked the NCPC boss for his visionary leadership, and Imo pilgrims for living up to expectations. He gave  assurance that the Embassy,  “will continue to secure and protect Nigerian pilgrims and Nigerians in Israel.”

Meanwhile, it has been  prayers and ‘thank you’ galore for  Governor  Uzodimma, from  this  year’s pilgrims, who could  not  hide their  excitement and feeling of love  for  the governor,  for  affording them the opportunity to travel to Israel on Holy Pilgrimage.

“I want to thank our governor, Onwa Oyoko, for this rare opportunity. Who would have thought that someone like me would have travelled to Israel one day, on Pilgrimage? He is a compassionate governor, a people-oriented governor, a people-friendly governor, God will continue to bless him,” one of the pilgrims told the reporter.

Another pilgrim said: “How can someone forget this gesture extended to us by  our dear  Governor? Other Imo State governors never gave Imolites the  opportunity to enjoy their resources, just like Onwa has done. Instead,  it was only their family members and cronies, who   were living in affluence, while  majority of the  people were languishing  in abject poverty. This is another form of empowerment. I will continue to pray for the governor and his family.