The Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) has commended Ogun state for its thorough screening of intending Christian Pilgrims for the 2016 Holy Pilgrimage to Jerusalem from the state.
Southwest Commissioner of NCPC, Deaconess Adefemi Taire gave the commendation after she witnessed the exercise conducted by the State Christian Welfare Board at the board’s office in Abeokuta.
“Ogun state is one of the states in Nigeria that takes Christian pilgrimage seriously and it was evident in the thoroughness and efficiency it employed in its screening exercise for pilgrims. Over the years, pilgrims from Ogun state have always conducted themselves in a disciplined and orderly manner while in the holy land.
“Ogun state is one of the states that leads the line in the conduct of Christian pilgrimage in Nigeria. Their example is worthy of emulation by other states in the federation’’, she said.
In his remarks, Chairman of the board, Archbishop Oludotun Ogunseye noted that the exercise was to ensure that the intending pilgrims are mentally, physically and spiritually fit, as only those that get clean bill of health at the screening would be accredited to embark on the holy pilgrimage.
He informed that the board had deployed a team of officials from relevant agencies, including the Nigerian Police, Immigration, State Security Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and medical personnel for the screening exercise to ensure its thoroughness.
Speaking with newsmen on the development in Abeokuta, one of the representatives of the Nigerian Police Force, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Police Command, ACP Jude Azuka affirmed that the Force was consistently committed to supporting the conduct of Christian pilgrimage in the state by providing accurate and concise security reports on the intending Pilgrims, stating that anyone apprehended while presenting false document would be appropriately prosecuted.
One of the intending pilgrims, Mrs. Popoola Elizabeth applauded the gesture of the state government towards a successful 2016 Holy pilgrimage to Jerusalem, pledging to abide by the rules guiding the exercise.