Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State yesterday in Ilorin faulted the misconception of the essence of pilgrimages to the holy lands by some individuals just as he declared that the pilgrimage is not for jamboree but spiritual rejuvenation and upliftment.

The governor who dropped the hint while receiving the Executive Secretary of the National Christian Pilgrim Commission(NCPC), Dr John Kennedy Opara who led other members of the commission on a courtesy call to him at Government House, Ilorin, said the performance of pilgrimages is a religious rites that should strengthen the faith of individual pilgrims but also makes them better people who would contribute immensely to the development of Nigeria.

Experience and knowledge garnered during pilgrimages according to the governor, should be synthesized into a strong format that will make Nigeria a better place for all.

His words:"Pilgrimages are for moral and spiritual transformation. We must not look at pilgrimage as a jamboree".

Pilgrimages are not for us alone as a country but the whole world, so, we should consolidate on our experience over there to drive good governance".

Governor Ahmed who decried the attitude of some people hiding under religion to foment trouble emphasized that there should not be any coercion in practicing any religion,

Rather, he said religion should be personal salvation that should not call for any sentiment.

He further stressed that all hands must be on deck to educate those fomenting trouble in the name of religion and change their mind set.

He also commended the commission for its unprecedented achievements, urging it to continue spreading the good message in order to strengthen unity across the country.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr John Kennedy Okpara had earlier in his remarks said he was in the state to sensitize the public on the commission's preparation for the 2014 pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

Opara who told the governor that the commission had three packages of pilgrimage which he said include, Easter pilgrimage, Family pilgrimage and Main pilgrimage, said the commission was using the pilgrim as a tool for moral and spiritual transformation.

He, however, praised the state government for its achievements in all sectors of the economy.