From Joseph Asegba, Yola
In Adamawa State, preparations are well underway for the 2026 Christian pilgrimage to Israel, with the State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board aiming to send close to 700 faithful on the sacred journey.
Chief Geoffrey Garba, Executive Secretary of the Board Yola, confirmed that Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s approval has been secured for 500 sponsored pilgrims, with an additional 120 slots allocated across the state’s local government areas and room for self-sponsored participants.
The total is expected to approach 700, and organisers say they had anticipated even higher numbers.
The process has moved through clear phases. Application forms were printed and distributed after official approval. Completed forms have been returned and documented.
Medical screening is currently under way, lasting three days, to assess physical fitness and identify any health or security concerns. The screening panel includes officers from the National Christian Pilgrims Commission, alongside representatives of the NDLEA, Immigration Service, Police, DSS and other security agencies.
Garba emphasised the Board’s strong record on ensuring pilgrims return home. “We are not known for that here,” he said, referring to cases of absconding reported elsewhere.
This will be his third participation in the exercise, and previous groups have returned intact. Thorough character checks including phone and communication reviews are part of the process.
In the 2025 pilgrimage, two individuals were dropped after security concerns arose, one of them already at the point of boarding.
A pre-visit by state and national officials is expected in October to inspect hotels, accommodation and holy sites. Once that is completed, the main departure is expected to follow relatively quickly. The pilgrimage itself typically lasts about eleven to twelve days.
The Executive secretary expressed appreciation to the National Christian Pilgrims Commission headquarters for their support and presence during the current screening exercise, pledging that the Adamawa contingent would uphold high standards throughout.
The Board’s methodical approach combining administrative readiness, medical and security screening, and coordination with national bodies reflects a determined effort to ensure a safe, orderly and spiritually meaningful journey for Adamawa’s Christian pilgrims in 2026.
