Soludo’s Pilgrims Office Woos Onitsha Market Traders for Israel, Jordan Pilgrimage
By Praise Chinecherem
The Anambra State Christian Pilgrims Office has appealed to traders at the Onitsha Main Market to participate actively in the forthcoming Christian pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan.
The appeal was made by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Pilgrims Affairs in the Office of the Deputy Governor, Hon. Barr. Odira Ezeh, during a courtesy visit to the leadership of the Onitsha Main Market.
Responding to the appeal, the Chairman of Onitsha Main Market, Michael Chijioke Okpalaugo, pledged the market’s support and expressed his readiness to collaborate with the pilgrims office to increase traders’ participation in the programme.
Ezeh commended Okpalaugo for his leadership and efforts towards maintaining peace, order and coordination among traders in the market.
He urged the market leadership to encourage eligible traders to register for the pilgrimage, noting that registration forms were already available.
According to him, Christian pilgrimage goes beyond a spiritual excursion, offering participants opportunities for spiritual and moral renewal, personal development, religious tourism, cultural exchange and socio-economic advancement.
“Pilgrimage is more than a spiritual journey. It provides an opportunity for spiritual and moral renewal, human development, religious tourism, cultural exchange and socio-economic advancement,” Ezeh said.
He further appealed to the market leadership to help disseminate accurate information about the programme and mobilise eligible traders and other interested residents of Onitsha to participate.
Ezeh also disclosed that preparations were underway for an Anambra State Christian Pilgrims Summit, which he said would provide a platform for educating residents on the significance of Christian pilgrimage.
He said the summit would also strengthen collaboration among the state government, Church, market leaders and other relevant stakeholders.
Market Chairman Pledges Support
Responding, Okpalaugo commended the Christian Pilgrims Office for reaching out to the market and assured the delegation of the market leadership’s willingness to support government initiatives that benefit traders and the wider community.
He said the current leadership was prepared to align with government programmes and work with relevant institutions to achieve their objectives.
“Onitsha Main Market has been in existence, but the leadership presently is different as the government has interest in the market. Anything that has to do with the government, we will always like to align with it, and I will like to work with you on this programme,” Okpalaugo said.
The commitment is expected to boost awareness of the forthcoming pilgrimage among traders and residents of Onitsha while strengthening cooperation between the Onitsha Main Market leadership and the Anambra State Christian Pilgrims Office.
The initiative also forms part of efforts to broaden participation in Christian pilgrimage and ensure that more residents have access to information about the spiritual, cultural and developmental opportunities associated with the programme.
#AnambraDaily #AnambraState #Soludo #ChristianPilgrimage #Israel #Jordan #OnitshaMainMarket #Onitsha #PilgrimsAffairs #OdiraEzeh #MichaelOkpalaugo #NdiAnambra #Christianity #ReligiousTourism #AnambraNews
