The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, has warned Christian pilgrims travelling to Israel and the Kingdom of Jordan against abscondnent.
Mahmoud charged them to uphold national values, stressing the importance of representing Nigeria with dignity.
The minister gave the warning during a pre-departure orientation in Abuja for more than 142 intending pilgrims.
She urged them to be good ambassadors of Nigeria and maintain personal and national dignity while in the Holy Land.
“Stringent measures have been instituted to prevent abscondment and any act capable of bringing disrepute to the country,” she said.
Speaking, the Acting Director of the FCT Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Gloria Dandam, reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance for abscondment.
She stated that guarantors of pilgrims who failed to return would be held legally accountable.
“We don’t anticipate any abscondment, but if it happens, the guarantors will be arrested and prosecuted.
“They signed legal documents and will be held responsible,” she said.
