Okpebholo Warns Edo Christian Pilgrims Against Abscondment, Misconduct in Holy Land

   Faces at the screening exercise in Benin City 

Hendrix Oliomogbe 

Edo State Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo has warned intending pilgrims performing the 2025 pilgrimage to the Holy Land of Israel and Jordan against abscondment and other misconduct capable of tarnishing the good image of the state.

Governor Okpebholo who spoke at the screening of intending pilgrims to the Holy Land at the board office in Benin City said that the full wrath of the law will be applied to any person or group of persons whose conduct denigrates the integrity of Edo State. 

Represented by his special Adviser on Religious Matters and chaplain, Government House Chapel, Apostle Sule Faraday Azekhumhe, the governor charged intending pilgrims to allow their conduct individually and collectively reflects the values, resilience, integrity and moral rectitude which are the hallmark of the state while in the Holy Land.

The screening which was done by a team of security Agencies made up of the Department of State Security Service (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigeria Police, crossed the vital documents presented by the intending pilgrims as requested by the National Christian Pilgrims Commission.

Governor Okpebholo reminded the intending pilgrims that pilgrimage to the Holy Land is not an avenue to amass wealth, but to seek the face of God for spiritual rebirth as it marks a turning point in their quest to strengthen their faith and relationship with God. 

The executive secretary, National Christian Pilgrims Commission, Bishop Steven Adegbite represented by the Director and Zonal coordinator South-South Zone, Mr. Nkaiso Edemenang said the screening of the intending pilgrims is to get vital information needed to process their travelling documents.

According to him, at the end of the screening exercise, the documents will be transmitted to the Israeli Embassy for the issuance of visas, orientation, and retreat before air lifting of the pilgrims to the Holy Land.

The chairman Edo State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Rev. Frank Omobude commended Governor Okpebholo for his support to ensure hitches free pilgrimage to the Holy Land this year.

Rev. Omobude of the New Covenant Gospel Church, Benin said the intending pilgrims have been properly educated on what they are expected to do, promising that none of them will be involved in any misconduct.

A total number of 45 intending pilgrims were successfully profiled and ready for the journey.