The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Pilgrims Affairs, Barrister Odira Ezeh, has called for stronger collaboration between the Anambra State Christian Pilgrims Office and the State House of Assembly to reposition pilgrimage administration and unlock its spiritual, cultural and socio-economic potentials.
Ezeh made the call when he led officials of the Anambra State Christian Pilgrims Office on a courtesy visit to the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, as part of efforts to strengthen engagement with key stakeholders and seek legislative support for the development of pilgrimage affairs in the state.
Speaking during the visit, Ezeh said Anambra State is recognised by the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), stressing the need to build a functional and accessible pilgrimage system that would provide opportunities for more deserving sons and daughters of the state.
He commended the commitment of Governor Chukwuma Soludo to advancing pilgrimage affairs, noting that the administration views pilgrimage not only as a spiritual journey but also as an avenue for moral renewal, human development, religious tourism, cultural exchange and socio-economic development.
According to him, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, is also committed to strengthening the pilgrimage system through initiatives aimed at making it more accessible, transparent, efficient and responsive.
Ezeh highlighted some of the proposed initiatives of his office, including a Pilgrimage Exchange Programme, designed to attract pilgrims from within and outside Nigeria to Anambra, with the potential to promote religious tourism, stimulate economic activities and create employment opportunities.
He also disclosed plans to introduce a Pilgrimage Lottery Programme, which he said would expand access to pilgrimage opportunities while promoting transparency, fairness and public confidence in the selection process.
The SSA further drew attention to the Blessed Iwene Tansi Shrine in Aguleri, describing it as a potential religious tourism and pilgrimage destination.
He recalled that his office visited the shrine on May 10, 2026, to assess its potential and explore ways of developing it into a recognised pilgrimage site.
Ezeh noted that developing the shrine would require collaboration among government, the Church and other stakeholders, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, preservation and investment, while maintaining its spiritual heritage.
He also informed the Speaker about preparations for the proposed Anambra State Christian Pilgrims Summit, which is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to educate the public on the essence and benefits of pilgrimage and deliberate on ways to improve participation, administration and collaboration.
Responding, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, urged the Pilgrims Office to intensify efforts towards reviving and strengthening the office by recruiting competent personnel and establishing a more functional institutional structure.
Udeze stressed the need for the office to have a dedicated budget for its programmes while exploring partnerships with private individuals and organisations that could contribute to the success of pilgrimage activities in the state.
He said the major challenge was not necessarily the availability of funds but the presence of committed leadership capable of identifying opportunities, mobilising resources and effectively driving programmes.
The Speaker further called on the House committee overseeing pilgrimage affairs to work closely with the Pilgrims Office to ensure that the programme receives the necessary legislative attention and support.
He also urged the office to work towards establishing a Pilgrimage Affairs Board for the state, suggesting that the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, should play a leading role in the board to ensure effective coordination and administration of pilgrimage affairs.
Udeze said that, beyond government involvement, there were other ways well-meaning Anambra people could support family members and others interested in embarking on pilgrimage, stressing the importance of encouraging broader participation.
He assured the Pilgrims Office of the Assembly’s support, particularly through legislation that would strengthen and facilitate pilgrimage programmes in the state.
The Speaker also said any member of the House who wished to participate in pilgrimage would be expected to obtain the appropriate form, while urging the office to intensify public enlightenment on the procedures for obtaining pilgrimage forms.
Udeze commended the Pilgrims Affairs Office, led by Ezeh, for its efforts to improve pilgrimage administration in the state. He, however, cautioned against treating pilgrimage primarily as a business venture, stressing that its spiritual purpose should remain central.
He urged stakeholders to promote pilgrimage as an opportunity for spiritual reflection, renewal and development, rather than allowing commercial activities to overshadow its core religious purpose.
The visit provided an opportunity for the Pilgrims Office and the State Legislature to discuss areas of cooperation and institutional support, with both sides emphasising the importance of collaboration in repositioning pilgrimage affairs and making its potential benefits more accessible to Ndi Anambra.
