Do not abscond, Fayemi warns Christian pilgrims

Posted by admin Ekiti, State News Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has warned that any intending Christian pilgrim from the state who might have other motives other than the performance of the holy pilgrimage risks being disqualified from the exercise.
Governor Fayemi gave the warning in Ado -Ekiti, yesterday at the departure ceremony for 230 intending pilgrims from the state. He said government was determined to stem the un-wholly trend of abscondence in the course of pilgrimage.

The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, said it was unfortunate that some people hid under the guise of performing pilgrimages to leave the country illegally, noting that the disqualification of some applicants during the screening exercise, was not unconnected with doubts about their genuineness.

“I want to charge you to ensure that none of the pilgrims from this state abscond in the course of the pilgrimage. In this regard, you are authorised to disqualify any person suspected to have motives other than performance of pilgrimage at any stage before airlifting,” he said.

Fayemi charged the intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state and advised that they embrace decorum while in the Holy land, adding that they must cooperate with officials of the state Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board to ensure the success of the pilgrimage.

While urging pilgrims to pray for the restoration of peace in troubled parts of Nigeria and the world, especially in the Middle East, the governor said development and investment could only thrive in an environment of relative peace.
“For the people to fully realise the gains of democracy, peaceful coexistence is sine qua non. Development can only be possible where there is peace as investors will be encouraged to invest in this state only if they are sure of the security of their lives and investment. This as you know is a major key to the industrial growth of the state,” Fayemi asserted.
He, however, charged them to continue to preach love, peace and harmonious relationship in their various communities so as to sustain the peace in Ekiti State.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the state Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board, Chief Aaron Komolafe commended Governor Fayemi for the support given for the successful preparations towards the pilgrimage, adding that the board would ensure a hitch-free pilgrimage for the 230 pilgrims.
Mrs Olayinka, who had handshakes with all the intending pilgrims, later bade them farewell as they boarded their buses to the airport en route Jerusalem.

-Sunwp_posts