The Lagos State First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu on Friday enjoined Christian pilgrims to see pilgrimage as a spiritually rewarding exercise rather than for tourism.
The governor’s wife gave the admonition during the Service of Dedication organised by Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board (LSCPWB), where she noted that the theme of the dedication service “Tourist or Pilgrim” was apt as the importance of the pilgrimage exercise has been lost on some pilgrims as they see it as an avenue to go for site-seeing.
She urged the intending pilgrims to see pilgrimage as a time for spiritual rejuvenation and uplifting of their faith.
“I pray that the pilgrimage exercise will mark a turning point in the way we handle our relationship with God and people around,’’ she said.
She expressed gratitude to God for the reopening of Israel for pilgrimage exercises after the closure due to the Covid19 pandemic, urging the intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the State by adhering to Covid 19 safety protocols in order to stem the tide and take necessary precautions against monkeypox.
She thanked the Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs and LSCPWB for the successful take-off of the pilgrimage exercise.
In his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi, quoting the book of Proverbs 18: 10 noted that the event was organised to dedicate and commit all the intending pilgrims as well as State officials to the shelter of the Almighty God as they proceed on pilgrimage to the holy lands of Israel and Jordan. (Nation)