By Marylovina Ezenekwe/Ngozi Ikem
The Anambra State Pilgrims Office, under the Office of the Deputy Governor, has called for stronger collaboration with local government mayors to expand access to the state’s pilgrimage programme and related initiatives.
The appeal was made during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Committee of Chairmen of the 21 Local Government Areas(LGA) in Anambra State, Hon. Dr. Chibueze Ofobuike, at the Aguata Secretariat in Ekwulobia on July 10.
Speaking during the visit, Hon. Barr. Odira Ezeh, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Pilgrims, described local governments as the most effective channel for reaching residents at the grassroots level, noting that every Anambra resident belongs to LGA, making the mayors critical partners in identifying beneficiaries, creating awareness and ensuring transparency in the selection process.
Barr. Ezeh said Governor Chukwuma Soludo is committed to making pilgrimage opportunities accessible to deserving Ndi Anambra regardless of their financial status. According to him, the programme is designed to promote spiritual growth, responsible citizenship, unity and economic development.
“It is a priority of Mr. Governor to ensure that even the poorest woman in a remote village or a petty trader in a local market has the opportunity to travel to the Holy Land without bearing the financial burden,” he said.
The SSA disclosed that the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, who oversees pilgrimage affairs, is introducing reforms to improve the management of pilgrimage activities in the state. One of the proposed initiatives is a sponsored pilgrimage scheme that will provide opportunities for eligible residents to undertake pilgrimage through government support and partnerships.
Responding, Dr. Ofobuike welcomed the initiative, describing local governments as the appropriate platform for driving government policies and programmes to the grassroots, pledging his support, assuring the delegation that he would communicate the information to his colleagues across the 21 LGA.
He advised the delegation to engage serving and incoming mayors directly to address practical questions that prospective pilgrims may raise, including travel dates, eligibility requirements, passport documentation and sponsorship arrangements.
Dr. Ofobuike recommended the appointment of local government pilgrimage representatives to serve as liaison officers in each council area, urging the office to work closely with councillors, traditional rulers, presidents-general of town unions, women leaders and other community stakeholders to ensure rapid dissemination of information across the state.
In addition, he encouraged the Pilgrims Office to utilise digital media platforms alongside traditional channels such as the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) to complement grassroots mobilisation.
As part of his support, Dr. Ofobuike pledged to sponsor two to three pilgrims when the programme commences.
Barr. Ezeh thanked the chairman for the warm reception, reaffirming the commitment of the Anambra State Pilgrims Office to building a transparent, inclusive and people-centred pilgrimage system.
He added that pilgrimage exercises are usually conducted twice a year, but the Easter pilgrimage could not hold due to prevailing circumstances, assuring that preparations were underway for the next phase of the programme.
Marylovina Ezenekwe/Ngozi Ikem are of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
