By Marvellous Ezenwa, Awka
The Senior Special Assistant to the Anambra State Governor on Pilgrims Affairs, Hon. Barr. Odira Ezeh, has called for stronger collaboration between the State Christian Pilgrims Office and Christian organisations across the state to expand participation and make pilgrimage opportunities more accessible to Ndi Anambra.
Ezeh made the call during a courtesy visit, alongside officials of the Anambra State Christian Pilgrims Office, to His Lordship, Bishop Moses Ezedebego, chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship Movement (PFM), Anambra State at their secretariat Amawbia Town.
The visit was aimed at strengthening the relationship between the Pilgrims Office and the Pentecostal Fellowship Movement, while creating greater awareness about Christian pilgrimage programmes and encouraging more Christians, particularly those at the grassroots, to participate.
Speaking during the engagement, Ezeh said the initiative was in line with the vision of the Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, to build a livable and prosperous homeland where government programmes and opportunities are accessible to people across different social and economic backgrounds.
He explained that the Soludo administration places importance on pilgrimage because of its spiritual, moral, social and developmental benefits, stressing that the government is committed to ensuring that pilgrimage is not seen as an opportunity reserved for only a privileged few.
The SSA also highlighted the strategic direction of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, towards repositioning pilgrimage administration in the state. He disclosed that initiatives such as the proposed Pilgrimage Exchange Programme and Pilgrimage Lottery Programme are being considered to expand participation, promote transparency and fairness, deepen religious tourism, stimulate economic activities and create opportunities for young people.
According to him, the Church remains a critical partner in achieving these objectives because of its extensive grassroots structures and influence, Odira further Reminded Bishop of the upcoming Anambra State Pilgrimage Summit that in the state.
He therefore urged Christian bodies to assist with sensitisation, mobilisation, spiritual preparation, accurate information dissemination and pastoral guidance for intending pilgrims.
Responding, Bishop Moses Ezedebego commended Governor Soludo for demonstrating renewed interest in Christian pilgrimage and for establishing the Pilgrims Affairs Office to give the sector greater attention. He, however, observed that pilgrimage had suffered setbacks over the years and urged the government to sustain efforts aimed at repositioning the programme.
The Bishop appealed to the government to extend pilgrimage opportunities to people with limited financial means, stressing that visiting the Holy Land should not be viewed as an exclusive privilege of the rich. He called for possible government sponsorship of some intending pilgrims to ensure broader participation.
Bishop Ezedebego further assured the Pilgrims Affairs Office of the readiness and support of the Pentecostal Fellowship Movement, while urging the government to carry the leadership of different Christian denominations along in its pilgrimage initiatives. He described the visit by Ezeh and his delegation as a welcome development and expressed confidence that stronger cooperation would yield positive results.In his response, Ezeh assured the Bishop that the administration was committed to inclusiveness in matters concerning pilgrimage.
He promised to convey the concerns and recommendations raised during the meeting to the Governor, assuring that the requests would receive due consideration.The engagement is expected to strengthen collaboration between the State Government and Christian organisations, while contributing to a more inclusive, transparent and impactful Christian pilgrimage programme in Anambra State.
