The Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has urged Christian pilgrims from the state embarking on the 2026 holy pilgrimage to Israel to regard the journey as a solemn spiritual assignment and an opportunity to pray for peace, unity and stability in Nigeria, particularly as the state prepares for its governorship election.
The governor gave the charge on Friday, 30th January, 2026, at a departure service organised for the 38 pilgrims from Ekiti at the Government House Chapel, Ado-Ekiti.
Represented by his deputy. Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Afuye, Oyebanji said the conduct of the pilgrims abroad would reflect the image of Ekiti State and Nigeria on the global stage, cautioning against actions capable of bringing the country into disrepute.
He stressed that the pilgrimage was neither for leisure nor tourism, but a sacred exercise that demands discipline, humility and spiritual focus, especially at a time when the state requires divine guidance for peaceful political activities.
The Fountain of Knowledge helmsman stated that Ekiti's status as an election-year state makes it imperative for the pilgrims to prioritise prayers for peaceful coexistence, unity and security, rather than treating the journey as a social outing.
Oyebanji described the pilgrimage as an avenue for spiritual renewal and moral strengthening, urging the pilgrims to seek God's intervention for the nation, the state and their personal lives.
He further admonished them to obey laid-down rules guiding the pilgrimage, respect constituted authorities and maintain unity among themselves, noting that their words and actions would serve as a mirror of Nigeria's values in the Holy Land.
The departure programme featured Bible exhortations and prayers for the pilgrims, Ekiti State and Nigeria.
In his exhortation, the Government House Chaplain, Pastor Segun Awolumate warned the pilgrims against trivialising the spiritual journey, describing it as a divinely ordained experience rooted in biblical history.
Awolumate said that while travel generally broadens knowledge and exposure, a visit to the Holy Land demands deeper spiritual consciousness, urging the pilgrims to return transformed in character, faith and service to humanity.
He added that failure to return with renewed purpose and spiritual growth would amount to wasting the opportunity.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Ekiti States chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Dr Emmanuel Aribasoye commended Governor Oyebanji for subsidising the pilgrimage and prayed for journey mercies and the safe return of all the pilgrims to their families.
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