The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has received commendation for sponsoring Christian journalists to the 2025 Easter Pilgrimage in Israel.
In a press statement issued by the media office of the Zonal Vice President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Ezenwa Adiuku, the union praised the governor’s gesture.
“We in the Nigeria Union of Journalists, in the South East, are happy that the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Sen. Hope Odidika Uzodimma, in his magnanimity has sponsored about one thousand Christians to take part in the Easter 2025 Pilgrimage in Israel.
“We are particularly grateful to the Imo State government for extending the all-expenses paid sponsorship to over 20 media professionals in the exercise,” the statement read.
The NUJ Zone C further expressed appreciation, noting: “The NUJ in the South East (Zone C) wishes to extend her heartfelt gratitude to Governor Hope Uzodimma and the government of Imo State for deeming it necessary to enable Christians take part in the life-changing pilgrimage to the holy land.”
It recalled that “Gov Uzodimma, according to records, also sponsored over 1000 persons, which includes members of the NUJ, to Israel in 2023, and was honoured for sponsoring the largest pilgrims per state during the exercise.”
The union also highlighted the governor’s religious inclusiveness, stating: “We are also highly impressed that the Governor has shown that he is a detribalized leader with no bias against any religion, when he also sponsored Muslims to this year’s Hajj.
“It is even more heartwarming that the Imo government sponsored Muslim pilgrims took off from the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri.
“This development shows that of a truth, the government of Imo State in collaboration with the relevant federal aviation agencies, has provided night landing facilities at the airport.”
The NUJ, therefore, urged other governors across the country to emulate Uzodimma’s example by assisting in sponsoring Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land.
