LAGOS SCREENS INTENDING CHRISTIAN PILGRIMS
The Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board (LSCPWB) has commenced its statutory medical and administrative screening programme for intending pilgrims, a prerequisite for the yearly pilgrimage to Israel and the Kingdom of Jordan, Rome and Greece.
The orientation and screening exercise, which is the first phase of preparations for the exercise, was geared towards ensuring that prospective pilgrims are physically, psychologically equipped and fit and also to verify their travel documents for the pilgrimage scheduled to commence in April/May 2022.
Expressing delight at the impressive turnout of intending pilgrims on Thursday at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral Church Hall, G.R.A, Ikeja, the Commissioner for Home Affairs – Prince Anofiu Elegushi – stated that the large attendance showed the level of confidence reposed in the LSCPWB towards conducting a hitch-free exercise.
He informed the intending pilgrims that, unlike last year when participants only visited the Kingdom of Jordan, the authorities of Israel have assured that their borders will be open to pilgrims this year, hence the journey would take pilgrims to Israel and the Kingdom of Jordan.
While revealing that officials of the Board have gone on a pre-visit to Israel and gotten the necessary approvals from the Israeli Government, the Commissioner, however, noted that some of the prerequisite conditions include vaccination of intending pilgrims as well as administration of booster-dose vaccines for COVID-19.
Elegushi said that the State Government will make provision for booster doses for the intending pilgrims as well as COVID-19 vaccines for those that have not taken the jab, giving assurance of a seamless journey as adequate preparations have been made for a hitch-free pilgrimage exercise.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. Sewedo Oluseyi Whenu, stated that the screening exercise was to enlighten the pilgrims on expectations during the pilgrimage.
He noted that the orientation was to guide and acquaint the intending pilgrims with the guidelines for the holy pilgrimage, adding that the medical screening exercise was also held to check for possible ailments and advise individuals on required medications before commencement of the journey.
Whenu enjoined the intending pilgrims to follow all the laid down guidelines and laws of the holy lands while being good ambassadors of Lagos State and Nigeria.
Also speaking on the occasion, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Christian Matters, Ven. Rev. Bukola Adeleke, stated that the purpose of the exercise was to educate the intending pilgrims on the holy pilgrimage to the holy lands while thanking them for the confidence reposed in the State Government.
Adeleke also enjoined the pilgrims to be good ambassadors of Lagos State as well as Nigeria and use the opportunity to pray for the State and Country.
Addressing over 300 participants, the Board Secretary of Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board (CPWB), Mrs. Florence Yetunde Gbafe, affirmed that the exercise was convened to acquaint the intending pilgrims with the guidelines of the holy pilgrimage as the pilgrims would be travelling to another country, hence the need to orientate them about the values, customs and behavioural expectations of the people in the Holy Lands.
Mrs. Gbafe revealed that issues of abscondment and unruly conduct of pilgrims have been checked, saying that no cases of fleeing pilgrims among the State’s contingent have been reported in recent years.
She pointed out that plans are already in place to ensure a seamless journey, stressing that all intending pilgrims will be subjected to COVID-19 tests before the pilgrimage exercise.
AA/TMS/OS
