Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has been honoured with the title of “Best South-South Pilgrimage Governor of the Year 2024” in recognition of his commitment to the spiritual well-being of Christians across all denominations.
Presenting the award to him at Government House, Asaba, the Chairman of the Delta State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Apostle Silvanus Okorote, disclosed that Delta was the only state in the South-South geopolitical zone that sponsored 272 Christians to the Holy Land of Israel and Jordan in 2024.
He noted that the state identified with Israel despite the ongoing conflict between the Holy Land and certain non-state actors in the Middle East, adding that the spiritual bond between Israel, Jordan, and Delta State was rekindled during the 2024 Christian pilgrimage.
Apostle Okorote commended Governor Oborevwori for keeping the Government House Chapel altar fire burning by ensuring that all senior government officials worship God every morning before attending to official matters from Monday to Friday.
He assured the Governor that Delta would continue to experience open heavens, divine protection, and greater blessings from God.
In his response after receiving the award, Governor Oborevwori affirmed that Delta is known as a praying state and pledged that his government would continue to partner with faith-based organisations and invest in the spiritual uplifting of Deltans, stressing that “God is in charge of governance in the state, while using me as a mortal instrument.”
He expressed gratitude to God for providing the resources for last year’s pilgrimage and promised to sustain the sponsorship of Delta Christians to the Holy Land.
Oborevwori noted that the 2024 pilgrimage was a huge success in terms of safety, as all pilgrims departed and returned without incident, no one absconded, and all participants were worthy ambassadors of the state.
The Governor also commended the Chairman of the Board, Apostle Okorote; the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Terry Etagherure, who led the delegation to the Holy Land; as well as the Board’s Executive Secretary, Very Rev Fr Chris Ekabo, and all members of the Board, for a job well done.
The award presentation was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme; the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Etagherure; and the Executive Secretary of the Board, Rev Fr Ekabo.
