By Uzo Ugwunze
Anambra State Government has intensified efforts to ensure that the benefits of its pilgrimage programme reach ordinary citizens across the state, as the Anambra State Pilgrimage office has commenced strategic collaboration with the 21 Local Government Councils to deepen grassroots participation and awareness.
Leading the initiative, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Pilgrimage and leader of the Anambra State Pilgrimage office, Hon. Barr. Odira Ezeh, paid an official courtesy visit to the Chairman of Aguata Local Government Area and Chairman of the Association of Local Government Chairmen in Anambra State, Hon. Dr. Chibueze Offorbuike, to seek stronger collaboration in taking the state’s pilgrimage programme to every community.
The visit forms part of the pilgrims office broader strategy to ensure that Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo fulfils his vision of making pilgrimage opportunities accessible to the common people of Anambra State, particularly those who ordinarily would not have the financial capacity to embark on such spiritual journeys.
Soludo’s pilgrimage agenda is rooted in his belief that governance should positively impact every segment of society. Recognising that the ordinary people constitute the foundation of his electoral mandate, the Governor is determined to ensure that they are not left behind in programmes designed to promote spiritual growth, moral values and social inclusion.
His administration is therefore exploring innovative ways to enable deserving citizens to participate in pilgrimages without bearing the financial burden themselves.
To further strengthen this vision, the Deputy Governor of the State, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, is developing a lottery-based initiative aimed at expanding access to the pilgrimage programme.
The initiative is expected to provide a transparent and inclusive platform through which more citizens, especially low-income residents, can benefit from sponsored pilgrimages, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to equity, compassion and people-oriented governance.
Speaking during the visit, Hon. Barr. Odira Ezeh stressed that the partnership with local government councils is essential to the success of the programme, noting that grassroots mobilisation remains the most effective channel for reaching deserving beneficiaries in every ward and community.
Responding, Hon. Dr. Chibueze Offorbuike warmly received the delegation and commended the Pilgrimage office for its proactive approach in taking the programme directly to the grassroots.
He assured the delegation that they had come to the right place at the right time, pledging to personally champion the pilgrimage initiative among all the local government chairmen across the state.
According to him, local governments remain the closest tier of government to the people and are best positioned to drive Governor Soludo’s policies and programmes to every community.
“As Chairman of the Association of Local Government Chairmen, I will take this message to my colleagues because local governments are critical to the successful implementation of government policies. This pilgrimage initiative deserves our collective support,” Offorbuike stated.
He further encouraged the Pilgrimage office to embark on visits to all the local government areas to engage the mayors directly, noting that such one-on-one interactions would strengthen collaboration, particularly as some council chairmen are expected to complete their tenure by September this year.
Offorbuike also advised the pilgrims office to establish representatives in each of the 21 local government areas to facilitate coordination, improve communication and ensure the seamless implementation of the programme across the state.
The partnership between the Anambra State Pilgrimage office and the local government councils is expected to significantly boost awareness, participation and transparency, while ensuring that the opportunities created by the pilgrimage programme reach the grassroots.
The initiative further reflects Governor Soludo’s unwavering commitment to inclusive governance and his determination to ensure that development, opportunity and social welfare are not reserved for a privileged few but extended to the ordinary men and women whose trust and support continue to drive the progress of Anambra State.