Pictures: His Eminence Cardinal Peter Okpakaeke, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia (3rd from left) poses with the SSA to Governor Chukwuma Soludo o Pilgrims, Hon. Barr. Odira Ezeh (2nd from left) with other staff members of the Pilgrims Office during the courtesy visit
By Nkiru Onuzulike
The Anambra State Government has intensified efforts to transform the Blessed Iwene Tansi Pilgrimage Centre in Aguleri into a world-class religious tourism destination capable of attracting pilgrims from across Nigeria and around the globe.
As part of the initiative, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Pilgrims, Hon. Barr. Odira Ezeh, paid a courtesy visit to the Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, His Eminence Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke, to seek the Church’s support for the ambitious project.
The visit, undertaken alongside officials of the Anambra State Christian Pilgrims Office, formed part of a strategic engagement with key religious stakeholders aimed at strengthening pilgrimage administration and increasing participation in pilgrimage programmes across the state.
Call for Partnership
Speaking during the visit, Ezeh appealed to the Catholic Church, private individuals, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to partner with the Anambra State Government in developing the Blessed Iwene Tansi Pilgrimage Centre into a globally recognised pilgrimage destination.
He noted that while many Nigerian Christians travel to Jerusalem, Rome and Jordan for pilgrimage, Anambra is blessed with its own internationally recognised spiritual heritage in the Blessed Iwene Tansi Shrine at Aguleri.
According to him, sustained investment, improved infrastructure and strong collaboration between the government, the Church and private investors would enable the shrine to attract thousands of pilgrims annually, creating significant economic opportunities for the state.
Pilgrimage as an Economic Driver
Ezeh said the Soludo administration is committed to repositioning pilgrimage beyond its spiritual significance by leveraging it as a catalyst for religious tourism, economic growth, youth employment and increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
He urged individuals and organisations to support the government’s Public-Private-Community Partnership (PPCP) initiative by investing in infrastructure and facilities that would enhance the pilgrimage experience and unlock the shrine’s enormous economic potential.
The governor’s aide also explained the crucial role of the Church in pilgrimage administration, calling on dioceses and parishes to collaborate with the Pilgrims Office in identifying qualified pilgrims, organising spiritual orientation programmes and educating the faithful on the true meaning of pilgrimage.
He added that Governor Soludo remains committed to ensuring that pilgrimage opportunities are accessible to deserving citizens, irrespective of their social or economic background, in line with his vision of building a livable and prosperous homeland anchored on faith, inclusion and responsible leadership.
New Initiatives Unveiled
Ezeh highlighted the role of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, under whose supervision the Pilgrims Office operates, in driving reforms aimed at making pilgrimage activities seamless.
Among the proposed initiatives are a Pilgrimage Exchange Programme, designed to attract pilgrims from within Nigeria and abroad to Anambra State, and a Pilgrimage Lottery Programme, intended to expand access to pilgrimage opportunities through a transparent and credible selection process.
He also recalled his assessment visit to the Blessed Iwene Tansi Shrine on May 10, 2026, where he evaluated the site’s vast spiritual and historical potential, expressing confidence that with adequate infrastructure and strategic investment, the shrine could compete favourably with globally recognised pilgrimage destinations.
Cardinal Okpaleke Pledges Church’s Support
Responding, Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke described the visit as historic and commended the SSA for initiating what he called the first strategic engagement of its kind between the Anambra State Christian Pilgrims Office and the Catholic Church.
The Cardinal praised Ezeh, a former seminarian, for his dedication to strengthening pilgrimage administration through constructive collaboration with the Church.
He reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s readiness to partner with the state government in promoting pilgrimage, moral values, spiritual growth and community development.
Cardinal Okpaleke disclosed that the Diocese of Ekwulobia already operates an indigenous pilgrimage centre where the faithful gather for spiritual exercises, especially during special celebrations declared by the Holy See for those unable to travel to Rome, Jerusalem or Jordan.
He also revealed plans to invite Governor Soludo to visit the diocesan pilgrimage centre.
While endorsing the government’s vision for developing indigenous pilgrimage sites, the Cardinal emphasised that pilgrimage should not be viewed merely as an infrastructure project but as a profound journey of spiritual renewal and a deeper relationship with God and humanity.
Tags: Anambra, Soludo, Blessed Iwene Tansi, Religious Tourism, Pilgrimage
