During their spiritual sojourn in the country, the Ekiti State Government has urged intending Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land of Israel to refrain from actions that could gravely violate immigration laws.
During their time in the Holy Land, the government specifically instructed intending pilgrims to act as patriotic and good ambassadors and to distinguish themselves as people of character and integrity.
The instruction was given by Chief Monisade Afuye, Deputy Governor, at a special farewell service for the Ekiti contingents participating in this year's holy pilgrimage, which was held at the Government House Chapel in Ado Ekiti.
In a statement by Victor Ogunje, the Deputy Governor's Special Assistant on Media, the people were reminded to pray for Nigeria and Ekiti State specifically because the country is in desperate need of divine intervention to bring about the desired accelerated socioeconomic transformation.
Mrs. Afuye urged the pilgrims to avoid doing anything that could hurt the state's reputation and embarrass Christianity.
INEC seeks the support of stakeholders for the Ekiti state assembly supplementary election, she stated, ; “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, 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 has always had one of the best contingents since inception and this shouldn’t be an exemption.”
The Deputy Governor went on to say that Governor Biodun Oyebanji's administration has remained an example of peaceful coexistence between people of different religions, and he urged pilgrims to pray against any insurrection in Ekiti's religious crisis.
Reverend Emmanuel Aribasoye, the chairman of the CAN in Ekiti State, gave a sermon at the spiritual procession. He told the pilgrims that God, the state, and their families expect a positive behavior change after the pilgrimage to show that the holy journey has had a significant positive impact.
