Following the postponement of the airlifting of the second batch of intending pilgrims to the Holy Land for Easter Pilgrimage, the leadership of Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, LSCPWB, has pleaded for understanding from the affected persons.
Speaking at a meeting with the intending pilgrims today at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, the Vice Chairman of the LSCPWB, Professor Rufus Adeyeye Oguntuase who presided over the meeting, said that the Board and the State Government regret the inconvenience that the postponement has on the affected persons.
He said though the move by the State Government and the federal government to postpone the pilgrimage exercise was for the safety of the intending pilgrims, the government was also not unaware of how the postponement could have affected the plans of most of the intending pilgrims.
According to him, “The State Government through the Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board has decided to convene this meeting with you, our brothers and sisters, whose airlifting to the holy land was affected given the security issues presently ongoing in Israel.
“As a welfare-centred Board and a proactive government, we cannot but continuously provide you with relevant updates regarding this journey, knowing that all of you have already perfected plans to take part in this holy journey at this time. I know that some of you already applied for leave from your workplaces and postponed several other engagements in other to fulfill this spiritual mandate.
“It is a fact that this recent development has undoubtedly caused disappointment and uncertainty among all of us who were eagerly looking forward to embarking on this sacred journey”, he added.
While saying that it is disheartening that the intending Pilgrims are unable to proceed with the planned pilgrimage at this time, Bishop Oguntuase maintained that the safety and well-being of the pilgrims must always remain a top priority, stressing that the decision to suspend the airlifting was made in light of the current circumstances, to ensure the security and welfare of everyone.
The Cleric told the intending Pilgrims to use this period of suspension to foster their spiritual growth and deepen their connection with God by engaging in personal prayers, seeking guidance from religious leaders and participating in local religious activities to nurture their faith.
He advised them to use this period of conflict in Israel to plead for God’s divine intervention and restoration of peace to the holy land of Israel. “I want all of you our intending pilgrims to take this temporal suspension in good faith while we keep praying for the restoration of peace in Israel. Also, if we have been following news about Israel in the last few days, you will agree with me that the suspension of this trip was in the best interest of everyone”, the Bishop pleaded.
On her part, the Board Secretary of LSCPWB, Mrs. Florence Gbafe, appreciated the intending pilgrims for their understanding, patience, and unwavering devotion, saying that their commitment to the spiritual journey remains an inspiration to the leadership of LSCPWB.
She assured the intending pilgrims that the Lagos State Government is closely monitoring the situation in Israel, by keeping constant communication with relevant authorities to assess the circumstances and determine the best course of action moving forward.
Gbafe reaffirmed that the government is doing everything possible to address the situation and resume the airlifting as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.
