By Kayode Olopade
The Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board has commenced a review of its pilgrimage operations, with plans to strengthen pilgrims’ welfare, retrain personnel and improve service delivery to intending and returning pilgrims.
The resolutions formed part of the outcomes of a two-day retreat organised by the Board in Lagos with the theme, “Enhancing Pilgrims Welfare: The Challenges and Opportunities.”
The retreat provided an opportunity for officials and stakeholders to examine challenges affecting Christian pilgrimage operations and develop strategies for improving the experience of Lagos pilgrims.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. Adeyemi Ogunsanya, identified the prevailing security situation in the Middle East as one of the major challenges facing pilgrimage operations, particularly in convincing intending pilgrims that the journey could be undertaken safely.
Ogunsanya said the retreat was timely as it would enable the Board to critically review previous pilgrimage exercises, identify areas requiring improvement and introduce innovations capable of enhancing pilgrims’ experience.
He disclosed that the state government was also planning to strengthen the Board’s presence on social media to improve communication with intending pilgrims and the wider public.
According to him, the Board would further deepen its collaboration with the National Christian Pilgrims Commission while exploring ways of introducing more local content into welfare services provided for Lagos pilgrims in Jerusalem.
He specifically mentioned plans to make Nigerian meals more readily available to pilgrims, noting that such measures could contribute to their comfort and overall experience during pilgrimage.
The Board Secretary, Gbolabo Omoniyi Okudero, said the retreat offered management an opportunity to step away from the demands of daily office activities and objectively assess previous operations.
Okudero stressed the need for the Board to continuously improve its services in order to earn and sustain the confidence of citizens, adding that pilgrims should receive better services at every stage of the pilgrimage process.
Also speaking, the Commissioner 2, Lagos State Teaching Service Commission, Mr. Abiodun Bamgboye, urged public servants involved in pilgrimage operations to remain worthy ambassadors of government and place the interests of citizens at the centre of their responsibilities.
Bamgboye advised officials to sustain practices that had produced positive results while addressing identified shortcomings through continuous evaluation and improvement.
On the health dimension of pilgrimage, the Director of Staff Health Services, Folarin Coker Staff Clinic, Dr. Abdulrasheed Kolade, advised intending pilgrims to disclose existing medical conditions before travelling.
He emphasised the importance of regular medical check-ups, physical exercise, healthy eating, adequate sleep and other healthy lifestyle practices in reducing the risk of health complications during pilgrimage.
He also encouraged Nigerians to seek appropriate medical attention whenever necessary, noting that healthcare professionals were available to provide support and assist in managing existing or emerging health conditions.
The retreat underscored the Board’s commitment to moving beyond the traditional management of pilgrimage operations towards a more responsive, technology-driven and welfare-focused approach.
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