The Permanent Secretary, Office of Establishment and Service Matters,
Ekiti State, Mr. Abayomi Opeyemi, has stated that Christian Pilgrimage
should be seen as an awakening unto being agents of change and
transformation in our dear nation.
Mr. Opeyemi said this at the Orientation Programme organized for 2019
intending Israel Pilgrims, held at Old Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti.
The Permanent Secretary, who was once the Secretary of Christian
Pilgrims Board between the year 2000 and 2004, disclosed that the
rigorous screening exercise organized for Pilgrims by the Board, was
to ensure integrity, openness and as well confirm their good
intentions towards the Pilgrimage.
He called on the Pilgrims to see the journey as spiritual and not a
Jamboree, adding that going to the Holy land is to pray and experience
what the Almighty God has done in the Holy land.
Mr. Opeyemi also charged them to see themselves as ambassadors of
change and transformation of the state and Nigeria as a whole, adding
that the visit to Israel should yield spiritual blessings and turn
such into values that can change and transform our dear nation.
In highlighting some benefits of the visit, the Board Secretary, Mr.
Oluwatobi Malomo, advised them to seize the opportunity to pray for
the development of the state.
He warned the pilgrims against any act of abscondment and informed
that anyone involved, will be charged seven years imprisonment or must
be ready to pay a fine of seven million naira (7m).
Mr. Malomo prayed for them and sort for their cooperation in terms of
obedience to rules guiding the pilgrimage.
