The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji , has described the spiritual growth of the citizens as a pivotal weapon that can be successfully deployed to achieve national peace, unity and development.
In his view, Oyebanji posited that the concept can help to achieve national rebirth and character rebranding among citizens, to curtail incidences of corruption, banditry, internet fraud, drug abuse, insurgency , smuggling and other nefarious tendencies that are permeating the society.
Oyebanji spoke on Thursday, while playing host to the delegation of Nigerian Christain Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), who paid a courtesy call on her office in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital.
Addressing the delegation, Oyebanji , represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, commended the state government for supporting the activities of the Ekiti State Pilgrimage Welfare Board to achieve its statutory obligations to the citizens.
He challenged the delegation to put up its best in ensuring hitch free pilgrimage by Christians to Holy Land of Israel, describing this as a way to ensure that the vision of the commission is accomplished.
“I am indeed happy to welcome this delegation to my office today on a courtesy call as part of the mandates for interactions and consensus building on the operations of your Commission to bring radical development to the lives of the Nigerian populace.
“I appreciate you on behalf of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, a man who has tremendous passion for the spiritual growth of his people. This he had demonstrated through his enormous support for the Ekiti State Pilgrimage and Welfare Board in all its programmes and operations .
“Spiritual rebirth of the citizens of any nation contributes significantly to the development. It helps to attain attitudinal change, character moulding and rebranding that can help a nation to checkmate the incidences of crimes, corruption, smuggling, robbery, drug abuse, internet fraud and other social ills that are negatively affecting our nation”.
Oyebanji assured the delegation that his administration will continue to support any innovative action geared towards boosting the spiritual growth of the citizens of this state.
“We are also assuring you that we shall give all the necessary impetus to intending pilgrims to realise their ambitions in a peaceful and hitch free atmosphere, because we believe fervently in the fact that it will help in shaping our state for better in the nearest future”, Mrs Afuye pledged .
The NCPC Executive Secretary, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, revealed that the federal government, has slashed the cost of pilgrimage to holy land of Israel for 2025, saying intending pilgrims who are supposed to pay a sum of N6 million will pay N3 million due to government intervention.
Speaking about the quantum of infrastructural facilities being provided by Ekiti State Government, the NCPC boss, described Governor Oyebanji as a pride to the Southwest Nigeria, in terms of character and achievements in office.
The Presiding Bishop, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Ikeja Diocese, commended Governor Oyebanji for initiating projects across road infrastructures, agriculture, youth empowerment, health sector and job creation to boost the economy of the state.
The Cleric specifically lauded the governor for prioritising the security of lives and property through provision of requisite equipment and personnel for the Amotekun and Ekiti State Agro Marshall Corps.
“The victory of Governor Biodun Oyebanji has brought good tidings to Ekiti State. Your teamwork spirit has been perfect and bringing development to the good people of this state. Your team represents a perfect match and this has been recognised nationwide”, he said.
In his submission, the Chairman of the Ekiti State Christain Pilgrimage Welfare Board, Rev Emmanuel Aribasoye, pledged that the state will continue to partner the NCPC to ensure its smooth operations in the area of visit to Holy Land.