The Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board (LSCPWB) has concluded the second and final phase of the medical and administrative screening exercise for the year 2024 Easter Intending Pilgrims.
The screening exercise held recently at the Chapel of Christ the Light was done in collaboration with the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) and other relevant agencies of government in charge of verifying travelling documents.
According to the Board Secretary, LSCPWB, Mrs. Yetunde Gbafe, the medical screening exercise was necessary to ensure the physical fitness of intending pilgrims.
Gbafe, who was represented by the Board’s Deputy Director of Operations, Mrs. Kehinde Omisore, said that the State Government wants to be sure that all the intending pilgrims travelling for the pilgrimage have all requisite travelling documents with verifiable medical history to embark on the journey.
The Board Secretary also stated that the screening exercise would assist the medical team to take along appropriate medications that would meet the medical needs of the intending pilgrims.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Board, Rt. Rev. Babatunde Akinpelu-Johnson said the Holy Pilgrimage is a rigorous exercise that requires that intending pilgrims be physically and spiritually fit to participate in all the exercises throughout the duration.
Akinpelu-Johnson assured the pilgrims of their safety and well-being while on pilgrimage. He also hinted that the State Government has sent a strong delegate led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mrs. Lolade Aina, the Board Secretary (LSCPWB), Mrs. Yetunde Gbafe, the Special Adviser, Christian Religious Matters, Rev. Bukola Adeleke and some members of the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board led by Bishop (Prof) Rufus Oguntuase, on a previsit retreat to the holy lands of Israel and Jordan in preparation for this year’s pilgrimage exercise.
On his part, the Deputy Director of Head of Mobilisation, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, Benedict Okoh, who assured that Nigerian pilgrims will be safe in Israel, said the purpose of the medical screening was to ascertain the health status of the intending pilgrims.
Okoh enjoined the intending pilgrims to follow all the laid down guidelines and laws of the holy lands while being good ambassadors of Lagos State and Nigeria.