The Lagos State Government has issued a strong charge to Christian pilgrims bound for Israel and Jordan, stressing that pilgrimage to the Holy Lands is a sacred spiritual exercise and not a leisure trip, as preparations intensify for the airlifting.
The government outlined strict guidelines for intending pilgrims during a one-day orientation seminar held yesterday at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja. The seminar was organised ahead of the departure of the first batch of Christian pilgrims scheduled for January 31, 2026, while the second batch is expected to depart in February.
Addressing the pilgrims, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs, Adewunmi Ogunsanya, said the orientation programme was designed to adequately prepare participants for the spiritual journey and to educate them on their responsibilities before and during the pilgrimage.
Ogunsanya reminded the pilgrims that the Holy Land pilgrimage was a period for spiritual renewal, deeper faith and total devotion to God, not a vacation. He urged them to conduct themselves with discipline, decorum and integrity, noting that they would be representing Lagos State and Nigeria abroad.
“Pilgrims must see themselves as ambassadors of the state and the country. Your conduct outside Nigeria reflects on all of us. Unity, cooperation and obedience to laid-down rules are essential to achieving the true spiritual purpose of this journey,” he said.
Also speaking at the seminar, the Board Secretary, **Mr. Gbolabo Okudero**, emphasised that the pilgrimage remained strictly a spiritual exercise and warned against distractions capable of undermining its religious essence.
“You must be intentional to avoid distractions,” Okudero cautioned, advising pilgrims to dress modestly, eat moderately, remain with their assigned groups, obey the laws of host countries, follow tour guides’ instructions and maintain good conduct throughout the pilgrimage.
He stressed that prayer and spiritual reflection should remain the central focus of the journey, rather than entertainment or sightseeing.
Okudero also commended Governor **Babajide Sanwo-Olu** for his sustained support of the Christian pilgrimage programme, describing the administration’s commitment as critical to ensuring a well-structured, orderly and seamless pilgrimage process in Lagos State.
The seminar further featured detailed briefings for operational personnel, including clerics, medical officers, media practitioners and administrative staff, who were taken through their specific roles and responsibilities to guarantee a smooth, coordinated and hitch-free pilgrimage exercise.
The Lagos State Government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the pilgrimage is conducted in line with global best practices while enabling pilgrims to fulfil their spiritual obligations in a safe and orderly manner.
