•Christian pilgrimage
Lagos State government has outlined strict guidelines for Christian pilgrims travelling to Israel and Jordan, urging them to remain spiritually focused and uphold discipline throughout the pilgrimage.
According to the government, pilgrimage to holy lands isn’t leisure period but time to renew their faith and remain closer to God.
The government gave the charge during a one-day orientation seminar at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja, ahead of airlifting of 2025 Christian pilgrims, reports Saturday Guardian.
The first batch of the 2025 Christian pilgrims is scheduled to depart on January 31, 2026, while the second batch will leave in February.
Speaking at the seminar, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs, Adewunmi Ogunsanya, said the orientation was designed to properly prepare intending pilgrims for the spiritual journey and educate them on their responsibilities before and during the pilgrimage.
Ogunsanya urged the pilgrims to conduct themselves with decorum and integrity, noting that they would be representing not only Lagos State but Nigeria.
He stressed that unity, cooperation and obedience to laid-down rules were essential for a successful pilgrimage to the holy lands.
“Pilgrims must see themselves as ambassadors of the state and the country. Your conduct abroad reflects on all of us, and unity among pilgrims is key to achieving the spiritual purpose of this journey,” he added.
Also speaking, the Board Secretary, Gbolabo Okudero, emphasised that the pilgrimage was strictly a spiritual exercise, cautioning pilgrims against distractions that could undermine its essence of the religious expedition.
“You must be intentional to avoid distractions,” Okudero said, advising pilgrims to dress modestly, eat moderately, remain with their assigned groups, obey laws of the host countries, follow the instructions of tour guides and maintain good conduct during the pilgrimage.
He added that prayer should remain the central focus of the journey. Okudero, meanwhile, commending Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his continued support of the pilgrimage programme, described the state government’s efforts as instrumental in creating a well-structured and seamless pilgrimage process.
The seminar also featured briefings for operational staff, including clerics, media personnel, medical officers and administrative teams, who were taken through their specific roles and responsibilities to ensure a smooth and hitch-free exercise.
