Pilgrim Boss Meets SASA MD, Tasks MDAs On Pilgrimage Support For Anambra Residents
Mr Odira Ezeh, Head of Anambra Pilgrims Office has called on Heads of Ministries, Department and Agencies to support Christians and deserving citizens to participate in the 2026 pilgrimage to Holy Land.
Ezeh made the appeal during a courtesy visit to Mr Desmond Nwokoye, the Managing Director, Anambra State Special Anti-touting Squad on Monday.
The airlifting of Pilgrims will commence in the first week of November and end in the last week of December.
The Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo informed the SASA boss that registration and sale of forms for the 2026 Christian Pilgrimage were currently ongoing while urging the agency to support and urged him to assist in publicising and directing intending pilgrims to his office.
He said the administration of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, was committed to initiatives that promoted the spiritual, moral, social and economic development adding that
Christian pilgrimage was one of such avenues which also engendered spiritual renewal, deeper faith and culture exchange.
“I am confident that a productive partnership with you will contribute to greater awareness of Christian pilgrimage and help make available opportunities accessible to more deserving Anambra people.
‘I encourage you to identify opportunities to support deserving Anambra Christians who may wish to embark on pilgrimage but lack the financial capacity to do so.
“Such support would provide them with an opportunity for spiritual enrichment while demonstrating a commitment to their welfare and development.
“Together, we can promote initiatives that foster spiritual growth, encourage cultural exchange, create opportunities for our people and contribute to the overall development of Anambra,” he said.
Ezeh also informed the SASA MD about the forthcoming Anambra Christian Pilgrims Summit which was designed to educate Anambra people on the need for Pilgrimage as well as highlighting its essence, spiritual significance and benefits to individuals and society.
He said the summit would help the understanding of Christian pilgrimage, encourage responsible participation and strengthen cooperation among the government, church leaders, market leaders and other stakeholders in advancing the spiritual and developmental in Anambra.
He said the Pilgrims Office under the supervision of Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, the deputy governor had developed initiatives aimed at expanding the opportunities associated with Christian pilgrimage and pilgrimage exchange programmes to promote religious tourism.
“The proposed Pilgrimage Lottery Programme is another initiative intended to broaden access to pilgrimage opportunities while encouraging fairness, transparency and credibility in the selection of beneficiaries.
“I encourage you to partner with the Anambra Pilgrim Affairs Office in promoting awareness of Christian pilgrimage and encouraging interested and eligible persons within your sphere of influence to participate in the State’s pilgrimage programme.
“Given your important role as the MD of SASA, your support would be invaluable in extending the reach of the State’s pilgrimage initiatives.
“I commend you for your leadership of SASA and for your contributions towards promoting orderliness, discipline and public safety in the State,” he said.
In a reaction, Nwokoye commended the Ezeh led Pilgrims Office for the initiative it was taking to enrich religious tourism in Anambra assuring that SASA would support him to succeed.
He said Pilgrim was a veritable form of Christian evangelism which has helped in great measure to moderate the tendency of people to engage in crime and drugs.
He said SASA and Pilgrim office had the same set of objectives which was to ensure high moral standards and a crime free society.
He appreciated Soludo for supporting SASA saying that their activities had restored sanity to Anambra.
