Pilgrimage: Okoh Urges Media, Medical Teams To Exhibit High Professional, Ethical Standards

…Says Compulsory Covid-19 Test Holds August 30

Executive Secretary of Delta State Pilgrims and Welfare Board, Apostle Samuel Okoh, has appealed to members of the media and medical teams to exhibit high professional and ethical standards while in Jordan and at all times.

Apostle Okoh, made the appeal at an exclusive joint meeting with the media and medical teams, saying that the Pilgrims Board will to a large extent rely on them for publication of activities and free medical attention for pilgrims while in Jordan

He said the teams will also be the board’s eagle eyes shall assist officials to monitor individual activities of pilgrims, so as to ensure that no member of the State team is left behind in that country.

The Pilgrims Board Executive Secretary also disclosed that the compulsory Covid-19 test for intending pilgrims to Jordan, which was earlier scheduled to hold on Sunday August 29, will now take place at the CAN Secretariat on Monday, August 30, at the instance of some Abuja based medical scientists expected to arrive the state capital on Sunday.

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“The Board will work closely with the media and medical teams while in Jordan. Your professional services are important, an integral part of our collective success during the spiritual pilgrimage, which is why this briefing, familiarization and cross fertilization of ideas is necessary before departure.

“The media team is saddled with the responsibility of protecting and projection of the image and reputation of the state, the governor and board members by ensuring that your stories and articles are devoid of unnecessary sentiments and opinions not in tandem with government’s aim of sponsoring the trip.

“We trust the professional expertise and wealth of experience of your team members, which is why you must not fracture the confidence reposed in you, and I trust you will uphold high ethical standards and individual integrity, so that government and the Board will continue to partner with you from time to time.

“Our amiable Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, has done the needful to ensure that the trip succeeds, and it is indeed our collective responsibility to justify the state government’s investments in our individual spiritual renewal by returning home with uncommon miracles and testimonies as proof of intense prayers.

“The Board mandated me to urge you to exhibit high ethical standards, and to be extremely vigilant because you are also going to help us monitor individual conducts, especially strange movements and restlessness of those who may have negative motives, so that we can return to Asaba, without leaving anybody behind in Jordan,” Okoh said.

Responding on behalf of the media and medical teams, the Executive Assistant to Delta State Governor on Communications, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe Esq, said members of the teams are well known individuals who have excelled in their field of speciality, and therefore does not envisage conducts that will put the state and the Board in bad light while in Jordan.

He assured the Executive Secretary and the Pilgrims Board of a robust synergy with the media and medical teams, saying that to be a law abiding pilgrim also entails being a good ambassador of Delta State, for the period of stay in Jordan, and no one is permitted to be a recalcitrant.

“The media team has men of integrity and widely travelled. We have agreed to share information and materials through a group WhatsApp, and some members of the Board will also be in that group for ease of cross fertilization of ideas and information management.

“It is our duty and responsibility to project the state government, the governor and the board through positive skills and well written stories and articles. Be rest assured that we shall not be found wanting in the discharge of our professional duties.

“The state governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, is passionate about the growth of the Christian faith, which was why he insisted that the pilgrimage must take place amidst global Covid-19 health crisis, which also occasioned persistent lockdown in Israel. It is also important to observe Covid-19 protocols while in that country.

“And as you rightly said, it is our collective responsibility to watch and pray so that nobody escapes in Jordan. And of a truth, the governor will not take kindly such development.

“We must therefore set our eagle eyes on motion to track down any suspect so as to avoid putting Delta team in bad light, in the international comity of nations,” Oghenesivbe added.