Catholic Diocese of Lafia Marks Silver Jubilee with Pilgrimage to Historic Eggon Hills
By Esther Patrick Enna
Nigerians have been urged to continually pray for the nation and uphold sacrifices of early Missionaries by spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, training and educating the populace.
The Catholic Bishop of Lafia Diocese, Most Reverend David Ajang gave the charge during the twenty-twenty six Diocesan Pilgrimage to Alogani Hills as part of activities marking the twenty fifth Silver Jubilee of the Diocese.
Esther Enna reports that the pilgrimage drew a large number of Catholic Priests, the Religious, Lay faithful and non-Catholics to the historic site.
Alogani Hills, the birthplace of the Catholic faith, located a few kilometres away from Nasarawa Eggon is significant in the history of the Catholic Diocese of Lafia.
According to historical records, the present Lafia Diocesan Pilgrimage Centre on Alogani Hills otherwise called Eggon Hills is the first place that housed Irish Missionaries who evangelized people of the territory covering the present-day Wamba, Akwanga and Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Areas with some of its features like the well, incinerator, Church, Priests’ residence and planted trees visibly standing the taste of time.
In his Homily,the Bishop of Lafia Diocese,Most Reverend David Ajang, explained that pilgrimage is a journey of faith, renewal and thanksgiving to a place of religious importance, often requiring sacrifice and reflection.
Bishop Ajang urged the faithful not to relent in praying for their spiritual growth and the country, stressing the need for the pilgrims to internalise at least one benefit of this year’s pilgrimage for increased faith and spiritual rebirth.
In an exhortation, Vicar General of the Diocese, Very Reverend Father Matthew Ofoku earlier called on the faithful to re-evaluate and renew their lives toward promoting ecclesiastical unity, fairness, accountability, transparency and collaborative ministry by avoiding unhealthy rivalry, selfishness, and corruption among other vices
Some pilgrims who spoke to Radio Nigeria Precious FM including the General Manager of Nasarawa Broadcasting Service, NBS, Mrs Patricia Akawu and Mr. Ozegya Godwin Francis while commending Bishop Ajang for reactivating history of the Diocese said the spiritual exercise strengthened their faith.
On his part, a twenty -twenty seven governorship aspirant in Nasarawa State, Mr. David Ombugadu said he joined the pilgrimage despite not being a Catholic to pray for his spiritual growth and the state, appealing to residents to unite for the good of the State and country at large.
The Former Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, also participated in the Pilgrimage with the theme, ‘A Journey of Faith, Renewal and Thanksgiving’, that took them to the first settlement of Catholic Missionaries domiciled in Lafia Diocese.
Edited by JOEY Anzaku
About The Author
