By Ikem Ngozi
The Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Chidubem Iweka (Eze Iweka III), Obi of Obosi, has pledged the Council’s support for the Anambra State Pilgrims Office’s grassroots pilgrimage and religious tourism initiatives.
The monarch gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Pilgrims, Hon. Barr. Odira Ezeh, and his delegation at the Obi of Obosi Palace on July 21, 2026.
Barr. Ezeh explained that Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration seeks to make government-sponsored pilgrimages more inclusive by extending opportunities to traders, rural farmers, widows and other less privileged citizens whenever sponsorship becomes available.
He said ongoing reforms include upgrading the Blessed Michael Iwene Tansi Shrine, Aguleri, into a world-class religious destination, establishing Pilgrims Exchange Programmes and introducing a Pilgrimage Lottery Scheme to encourage wider participation and boost tourism.
The SSA appealed to traditional rulers across Anambra’s twenty-one local government areas to identify deserving beneficiaries for pilgrimage programmes while promoting faith, integrity, unity and responsible citizenship within their respective communities.
Responding, Igwe Chidubem Iweka III commended the Soludo administration for strengthening pilgrimage administration, expressing concern over increasing involvement of some youths, traders and commercial drivers in idol worship, strange rituals and foreign deities.
The traditional ruler maintained that properly organised government-backed pilgrimages would encourage moral reorientation and spiritual renewal, while emphasising that preserving authentic Igbo culture should never be confused with promoting idol worship.
Igwe Iweka reaffirmed the commitment of traditional institutions to preserving indigenous customs, traditional marriage rites, the Igbo language and cultural festivals, while condemning harmful practices and prohibited shrines, including the banned Okite.
The monarch invited Barr. Ezeh to present the Pilgrims Office’s proposals before the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, assuring him of the Council’s total support for initiatives promoting religious values and tourism development.
Ngozi is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State.
