Intending pilgrims to Israel and Rome from Kwara State have been charged to be worthy ambassadors of the state and nation while in the Holy Land.

The state Deputy Governor, Elder Peter Kisira, gave the advice on Wednesday night at a valedictory service held for the pilgrims in Ilorin.

Kisira urged them to comport and conduct themselves properly, speak with decorum and portray the nation in good light in the Holy land.

Elder Kisira admonished the pilgrims to be spiritually alive, participate effectively and ask pertinent questions as well as pray for the state and nation. The Deputy Governor called on Christian faithful to take up the challenge to visit the Holy Land at least once in a lifetime as it was sacred religious obligation that must be taken seriously.

He implored the pilgrims to use the exercise to rejuvenate and re-awake their faith and belief in God.

Elder Kisira, who commended the pilgrims for sponsoring themselves for the exercise, praised the State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board for the success of the exercise, promising the state government's support and empowerment to achieve more in future.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Anthony Gana-Abu, said 92 pilgrims who are all self-sponsored, the highest in the history of the state, are participating in the spiritual exercise.

Gana-Abu noted that none of the nation's pilgrims would spend Christmas in the Holy Land, explaining that the pilgrims would travel in three batches, with the first batch billed to depart the country on Thursday evening.

The leader of delegation and one-time Secretary of the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Cornelius Fawenu, called on the pilgrims to be of good behaviour and protect the name of the state and the nation at large.

In his exhortation titled: "Christian Pilgrimage as a tool for moral and spiritual transformation," Rev. RowlandSunday Babatunde charged the Pilgrims to showcase the best of the country, respect for authority of the host Nations and follow the laid down rules guiding the exercise. Babatunde called on Nigerians to be honest, fair to other people and embrace hardwork for the development of the nation.