Anambra Pilgrims Office Seeks PFM’s Collaboration To Promote Religious Tourism Sector
The Anambra Pilgrim Office has called on the cooperation of the Pentecostal Fellowship Movement (PFM) in the effort to develop the religious tourism industry in the state .
Mr Odira Ezeh, Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo on Pilgrims Affairs made the call during a working visit to His Lordship, Bishop Moses Ezedebego of the Pentecostal Fellowship Movement in Amawbia on Wednesday.
Ezeh whose office is domiciled in the Office of the Deputy Governor, said the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration between the Anambra State Christian Pilgrims Office and PFM.
He said it was also meant to foster greater awareness, participation and spiritual upliftment through Christian pilgrimage programmes in the State.
He said it was part of the efforts of the governor to make Anambra a livable and prosperous homeland where opportunities to government programmes were made accessible to the people of State.
Ezeh said Soludo placed considerable importance on pilgrimage affairs because of the spiritual, moral, social and developmental benefits associated with it.
The SSA said the Church remained an indispensable partner in achieving these objectives, particularly because of its extensive reach and influence at the grassroots.
According to him, the administration is committed to ensuring that ordinary people of Anambra, including those at the grassroots, are adequately informed and enabled to benefit from available pilgrimage opportunities.
“Again, the Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim is repositioning and strengthening pilgrimage administration in Anambra.
“Among the initiatives are the proposed Pilgrimage Exchange Programme, which is expected to deepen religious tourism, attract more intending pilgrims, stimulate economic activities and create employment opportunities for youths.
“There is also a Pilgrimage Lottery Programme, designed to broaden access and promote fairness, transparency and credibility in the pilgrimage process,” he said.
Ezeh called on the Pentecostal Fellowship Movement and other Christian bodies to support the State Government through sustained sensitisation and mobilisation of prospective pilgrims.
He says they should also assist in spiritual preparation and orientation; dissemination of accurate information on registration, eligibility and travel procedures; and the encouragement of responsible Christian conduct throughout the pilgrimage process.
He appreciated Bishop Ezedebego for receiving the delegation and expressed confidence that the engagement would mark the beginning of a mutually beneficial partnership towards promoting a more inclusive, transparent and impactful pilgrimage programme in Anambra State.
In a reaction, Bishop Ezedebego appreciated the Pilgrims Office for reviving the sector and pledged the willingness of the group to work with the state government to promote the sector.
He however called on the Soludo administration to workout incentive to enable people of the state especially intending Pilgrims to participate in journeys to holy land.
