The president is in Israel with eight governors, seven ministers, and other public officials.

President Goodluck Jonathan in Jerusalem on Thursday led other Nigerian pilgrims to Israel in a special prayer for the numerous challenges facing Nigeria.

Leading the intercessory prayer session at the Chapel of Dominous Flevit (where Jesus wept), the President particularly prayed for God’s intervention in the current political and security challenges in Nigeria.

Other pilgrims who led in different prayer points included Governor Jonah Gang of Plateau; Minister of Agriculture, Akin Adesina; Abuja Christian leader, Israel Akanji; and a lawmaker, Ndudi Elumelu.

The president had earlier visited Mount Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Bascillica of Agony and Mount Zion where he also prayed alongside other pilgrims at the Upper Room (where Jesus had the last supper with His disciples).

Other places visited included David City, The Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, the last place where Jesus was kept a night before he was crucified.

The president and other Nigerian pilgrims also walked down the Palm Sunday Road to the Chapel of Dominous Flevit.

President Jonathan is expected to visit the Jerusalem Old City, The Wailing Wall, Golgotha, Pool of Bethesda and other holy sites in the second day of his pilgrimage.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that eight governors, seven ministers and three members of the National Assembly were part of the entourage to Israel.

The governors are Theodore Orji of Abia; Peter Obi of Anambra; Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom; Martin Elechi of Ebonyi; and Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta.

Others are Gabriel Suswam of Benue; Jonah Jang of Plateau, and Lyiel Imoke of Cross River.

The ministers included the supervising Minister of Foreign Affairs, Viola Onwuliri; FCT Minister of State, Olajumoke Akinjide; Mnister of Infromation, Labran Maku; and the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah.

Members of the National Assembly in the presidential pilgrimage are Senate Committee Chairman on Power, Philip Aduda, and Paul Paulka.

This is the first time a sitting Nigerian president will embark on pilgrimage to Israel and this year recorded the highest number of Nigerian participants.

The president is in Israel on dual purpose: undergoing pilgrimage, and state visit where Nigeria would sign a number of agreements with the state of Israel, including the Bilateral Air Service Agreement, BASA.
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