The Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde on Wednesday tasked Christians embarking on a holy pilgrimage to Jerusalem to pray for the return of peace to the country.
Makinde who was addressing the pilgrims on the premises of the Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Christian Wing), in Ibadan, said the country needs God’s intervention for the planning and conduct of the polls to be peaceful and successful.
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Represented by his Executive Assistant on Administration and General Services, Rev. Idowu Ogedengbe, Makinde said: “As you all know, we will be going to the polls again in the year 2023 to vote and elect our leaders. We want God to make the planning and final conduct of the elections to be peaceful without rancour and any form of violence, banditry or terrorism.
“As we are enjoined to pray for those in authorities through 1 Timothy 2, please also remember to pray for our Governor. That God will continue to crown him with wisdom and guidance as he steers the ship of the present administration. By reason of many of the good works that he has started in the state, he will be given another opportunity to complete them.
“It is important to also remind you that as new cases of COVID-19 infections are being reported in some states lately by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), it is important that you observe all the necessary protocols towards the prevention of the disease. Thankfully, we don’t have any new case in Oyo State and our earnest expectation to God is that none of you will come down with any infection as you embark on this pilgrimage.”
In a related development the Edo State acting governor, Philip Shaibu, has charged pilgrims to Israel for the 2022 pilgrimage to pray for Nigeria ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Shaibu gave the charge in Benin while addressing the state pilgrims to the holy land, urging them to be good ambassadors of the state.
Daily Trust reports that the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Oyenude Kure, is leading 13 others to the pilgrimage and will be assisted by three other officials including the Secretary of Edo State Christian Welfare Board, Lady Brenda Ezekiel.
“Be good ambassadors of our state and take positive steps to promote the state in the holy land. We are good people; please ensure you represent the State well. Our country is in serious need of prayers, as we are going through a lot of challenges as a nation. We are faced with insecurity, economic retrogression and other serious challenges troubling the nation,” he said.
