LASG Screens Intending Christian Pilgrims

The Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board (LSCPWB) has commenced the statutory medical and administrative screening programme.
The exercise is a prerequisite for intending pilgrims to the yearly pilgrimage to the holy lands of Israel and the Kingdom of Jordan, Rome and Greece.

The orientation and screening exercise which is the first phase is geared towards ensuring that prospective pilgrims are physically and psychologically equipped and fit as well as verify their travel documents for the pilgrimage exercise to Israel and Kingdom of Jordan scheduled to commence in April/May, 2022.
Speaking on Thursday at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral Church Hall, G.R.A, Ikeja, where the screening is taking place, Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi stated that the large turn out shows the level of confidence in the LSCPWB of conducting an hitch free exercise.
The commissioner noted that unlike last year where there was only pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Jordan, the authorities of Israel have assured that their border will be open to pilgrimage exercise this year hence the pilgrimage exercise will be to Israel and Kingdom of Jordan.
“Our team have gone to Israel for the pre-visit and they have gotten the nod from the government of Israel that we are free to come,” he said.
He, however, noted that there are conditions attached to it such as the collection of COVID-19 vaccines as well as the booster doses.
Elegushi stated that the state government will make provision for booster dose for the intending pilgrims as well as vaccines for those that haven’t taken the jab.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. Sewedo Oluseyi Whenu stated that the screening exercise is to prepare the intended pilgrims on what to expect during the pilgrimage exercise.
He noted that the orientation exercise is to guide and acquaint the intending pilgrims with the guidelines of the holy pilgrimage while stating that the medical screening exercise is to check for possible ailments as well as advise them on medications before they embark on the journey.

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 repose in the State Government.

Adeleke 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 the 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.

Gbafe affirmed that the exercise has curbed the issue of abscondment and unruly conduct of pilgrims, saying that there have not been reported cases of pilgrims fleeing from the State contingent while on pilgrimage in recent years.

The executive secretary went further to list some of the historical places that will be visited as River Jordan, Bethlehem, Mount Nebo, Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea among others.

Earlier, one of the Board members of LSCPWB, Bishop Prof. Rufus.A Oguntuase, urged the intending pilgrims not to see the pilgrimage exercise as a sort of tourism experience but to focus on things that are spiritually uplifting and use the opportunity to pray for the peace of the State and country.