Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has warned intending Christian pilgrims from the state not to engage in any act detrimental to the holy pilgrimage.
He gave the warning in Ado-Ekiti at the departure ceremony for the 230 intending pilgrims from the state, saying that the state government was determined to stem the unholy trend in which pilgrims were always absconding while on pilgrimage.
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Fayemi, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, said it was unfortunate that some Nigerians hid under the guise of performing the holy pilgrimage to leave the country illegally.
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He noted that the disqualification of some applicants during the screening exercise was not unconnected with doubts about their genuine intention.
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The governor urged the pilgrims to ensure that none of them absconded during the pilgrimage, and directed the pilgrims board to disqualify any person suspected to have ulterior motives other than performing the pilgrimage.
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Fayemi also urged them to pray for the restoration of peace in troubled parts of Nigeria and the world, especially in the Middle East, stressing that development and investment could only thrive in an environment of relative peace.
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