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From Priscilla Ediare, Ado Ekiti
The Ekiti State Government has urged intending Christian pilgrims on a journey to the Holy Land of Israel to obey all rules and refrain from acts that are not in conformity with immigration laws during their spiritual sojourn to the country.
The government 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.
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 dire 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 Christendom to opprobrium.
“I enjoin you not to perceive this journey as a period for merriment, but to see the pilgrimage as a lifetime opportunity. Comply with all the rules, and don’t act lawlessly so that you won’t tarnish the image of our country,” she said.
“There are long-standing immigration rules guiding your conduct, 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 impact.
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 that 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.
