Plateau Pilgrimage Board Unveils Major Reforms, Declares Readiness for 2026 Exercise

Timescope news 

The Plateau State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board has announced its full preparedness for the 2026 pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan, introducing sweeping reforms aimed at streamlining the exercise and preventing past challenges.

In an interview ahead of the airlift, Executive Secretary Rev. Wanson Yusufu Bagu disclosed that Governor Caleb Mutfwang has approved and released funds for pilgrim sponsorship following the submission of a formal memo.

According to the Board, no fewer than 1,100 pilgrims are expected to be airlifted this year, with the first batch of 300 already screened and oriented.

Board Chairman Right Rev. Dr. Jwan Zhumbes stated that the Board is collaborating closely with the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission to ensure seamless coordination. Ground handlers in Israel and Jordan have also been engaged to receive pilgrims and guide them through designated holy sites.

On funding, the Board explained that it operates strictly within its approved budget ceiling, taking into account exchange rate realities to avoid shortfalls. It noted that federal intervention under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu last year helped bridge funding gaps caused by currency fluctuations, ensuring all intended pilgrims were airlifted.

To address past challenges, the Board has implemented several reforms, including:

· Ending the unofficial sale of pilgrimage forms

· Enforcing strict in-person registration

· Introducing core moral and national values training

· Controlling the disbursement of Basic Travel Allowance to discourage abscondment

Key personnel such as bus captains and medical teams now undergo structured orientation before departure.

On safety concerns, the Board assured that pilgrimages will resume only when host nations certify security stability. "Pilgrims will not be taken to conflict-prone areas, and security arrangements are coordinated with relevant authorities," officials stated.

Medical screening remains the responsibility of panels appointed by the Commission. While age is not an automatic disqualification, officials noted that the pilgrimage involves rigorous physical activity requiring medical fitness.

Describing pilgrimage as a spiritual journey rather than tourism, the Board emphasized daily devotions, biblical teachings, and visits to historical sites aimed at deepening faith. Pilgrims have been urged to maintain discipline, avoid misconduct, and remember they are ambassadors of Plateau State and Nigeria.