The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor of Anambra State on Pilgrims, Hon. Barr. Odira Ezeh, has called on the Catholic Church, private individuals, corporate organizations, and other stakeholders to partner with the Anambra State Government in developing the Blessed Iwene Tansi Pilgrimage Centre, Aguleri, into a world-class religious pilgrims destination capable of attracting pilgrims from across Nigeria and the international community.

Odira made the appeal during a courtesy visit to His Eminence Cardinal, Peter Ebere Okpaleke, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia, on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. The visit, undertaken alongside members of staff of the Anambra State Christian Pilgrims Office, formed part of the Office’s strategic engagement with key religious stakeholders aimed at strengthening pilgrimage administration and expanding participation in pilgrimage programmes across the state.

Speaking during the meeting, Odira emphasized that while Christians in Nigeria often travel to Jerusalem, Jordan, Rome and other renowned holy sites, Anambra State is blessed with its own internationally recognized spiritual heritage in the Blessed Iwene Tansi Shrine at Aguleri.

He noted that with sustained investment, improved infrastructure and collaborative support from both the Church and private investors, the shrine has the potential to become a major pilgrimage destination that would attract thousands of visitors from different parts of the world.

According to him, the Soludo administration is determined to reposition pilgrimage beyond its spiritual significance by leveraging it as a vehicle for religious tourism, economic growth, youth employment and increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

He explained that Governor Chukwuma Soludo remains committed to ensuring that pilgrimage opportunities are accessible to deserving citizens irrespective of their social or economic status, in line with his vision of building a livable and prosperous homeland founded on faith, inclusion, responsible leadership and human capital development.

Odira further highlighted the pivotal role being played by the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, under whose supervision the Pilgrims Office operates.

He disclosed that the Deputy Governor is championing several innovative reforms, including the proposed Pilgrimage Exchange Programme, designed to attract pilgrims from within Nigeria and across the globe to Anambra State, thereby boosting religious tourism and stimulating economic activities.

He also revealed plans for the introduction of a Pilgrimage Lottery Programme, an initiative intended to expand access to pilgrimage opportunities for deserving citizens through a transparent, fair and credible selection process.

Soludo’s aide recalled his earlier assessment visit to the Blessed Iwene Tansi Shrine in Aguleri on May 10, 2026, where he evaluated the site’s enormous spiritual and historical potential. He expressed confidence that with the necessary infrastructural development and strategic investment, the shrine could compete favourably with globally recognized pilgrimage destinations.

He stressed that achieving this vision requires the active involvement of churches, faith-based organizations, philanthropists and private investors. He therefore appealed to individuals and organizations to support the government’s Public-Private-Community Partnership (PPCP) initiative by investing in infrastructure and facilities that will enhance the pilgrimage experience and unlock the shrine’s economic potential.

He also underscored the indispensable role of the Church in pilgrimage administration, urging dioceses and parishes to collaborate with the Pilgrims Office in identifying qualified intending pilgrims, organizing spiritual orientation programmes, educating the faithful on the true essence of pilgrimage and disseminating accurate information through parish announcements, retreats and other pastoral engagements.

Responding, Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke warmly welcomed Hon. Odira Ezeh and his delegation, describing the visit as a commendable initiative and the first of its kind by the Anambra State Christian Pilgrims Office. He praised the SSA, whom he described as a former seminarian, for his commitment to strengthening pilgrimage administration through strategic engagement with the Church.

The Cardinal acknowledged the efforts of the Anambra State Government in supporting pilgrimage activities and pledged the Catholic Church’s full cooperation in advancing programmes that promote spiritual growth, moral values and community development.

He disclosed that the Diocese of Ekwulobia has already established an indigenous pilgrimage centre where the faithful gather for spiritual exercises, particularly during major celebrations declared by the Holy See for those unable to undertake pilgrimages to Rome, Jerusalem or Jordan. Cardinal Okpaleke revealed plans to invite Governor Soludo to visit the diocesan pilgrimage centre.

While commending the government’s vision for developing indigenous pilgrimage sites, the Cardinal reminded stakeholders that pilgrimage should not be viewed solely from the perspective of infrastructure development but also as an avenue for spiritual renewal and a deeper understanding of humanity’s relationship with God and one another.

He assured the Pilgrims Office of the Church’s readiness to partner with the state government in promoting pilgrimage, encouraging moral discipline among intending pilgrims and supporting initiatives capable of fostering peace, unity and responsible citizenship.

Odira expressed profound appreciation to Cardinal Okpaleke for the warm reception and valuable insights, reaffirming the commitment of the Anambra State Christian Pilgrims Office to building strong partnerships with churches, local government councils and other critical stakeholders.

He expressed confidence that the collaboration would not only strengthen pilgrimage administration in Anambra State but also deepen spiritual renewal, expand access to pilgrimage opportunities and position the Blessed Iwene Tansi Shrine as a globally recognized destination for religious tourism, in line with Governor Soludo’s vision for sustainable development.