The Ekiti State Government, has appealed to intending Christian
pilgrims on a voyage to Holy Land of Israel to refrain from acts that
could grossly violate immigration laws during their spiritual sojourn
to the country.
The governiment specifically, charged Intending pilgrims to act as
patriotic and good ambassadors, and distinguish themselves as people
of character and integrity during their stints at the Holy land.
The Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, gave the admonition
at a special farewell service, held at the Government House Chapel, in
Ado Ekiti, for the Ekiti contingents to this year’s holy pilgrimage.
The Deputy Governor, in a statement by his Special Assistant on
Media, Victor Ogunje, reminded them to pray for Nigeria and Ekiti
State in particular, as the country is in fire need of divine
intervention that will bring about the desired accelerated
socio-economic transformation.
Mrs Afuye appealed to the pilgrims to steer clear of any act that
could tarnish the image of the State and bring the christendom to
opprobrium .
She said; “I enjoin you not to perceive this journey as a period for
merriment, but to see the pilgrimage as a life time opportunity.
Comply with all the rules, don’t act lawlessly, so that you won’t
tarnish the image of our country.
“There are long standing immigration rules guiding your conducts,
kindly observe and obey them. Ekiti had always had one of the best
contingents since inception and this shouldn’t be an exemption”.
The Deputy Governor added that the present administration under
Governor Biodun Oyebanji , has remained the vanguard of peaceful
co-existence among diverse religions, urging the intending pilgrims
to offer prayers against any insurrection in the facet of religious
crisis in Ekiti .
In his sermon at the spiritual procession, the CAN Chairman in Ekiti
State, Reverend Emmanuel Aribasoye, told the pilgrims that God, the
State and their families expect a positive change of behaviour after
the pilgrimage to substantiate the fact that the holy journey has made
a tremendous positive impacts.
In their addresses, the Government House Chaplain, Pastor Segun
Awolumate and the Executive Secretary, Ekiti State Christian Pilgrims
Welfare Board, urged them not to involve in any frivolities their
could jeopardise the kernel mission of their voyage to Israel.
They said they must use the opportunity to consecrate themselves to
God, and intercede fervently through spiritual supplications on behalf
of the nation, so that it can surmount the multifarious crises
pummeling it.
