TEXT OF ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY , THE GOVERNOR DELTA STATE, SEN. DR. IFEANYI OKOWA TO THE MUSLIM PILGRIMS ON MONDAY, AUGUST 21ST, 2017

Delta Commissioner Bureau for Special Duties, Governor Office Asaba, Barr. Ernest Ogwezzy on behalf of His Excellency..

 I am happy to note that the Muslim Community in Delta State is intending to embark on pilgrimage to Mecca for the year 2017.

Religious pilgrimage is intended for the spiritual edification of the pilgrims and I am glad that the Muslim Community is intending to embark on such spiritual exercise. It is on this note, I warmly welcome all of you here today for this short address on behalf of His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

We are not unmindful of the role that the prayers of our people can play in bequeathing to us the society of our dreams. It is for this reason that, we as a Government, in spite of the current harsh economic realities, have not relented in investing in your pilgrimage to the holy land.

Ladies and gentlemen, as you embark on this journey for your spiritual edification, let me assure you that the Government and people of Delta State are behind all of you.

However, in the course of the pilgrimage, you are all enjoined to be good ambassadors of our great State by shunning acts that will tarnish or bring the image of our State to any disrepute.

Let me add that from what I can decipher from the crowd here I am very confident that the intending pilgrims are men and women of good repute and of impeccable character. I therefore urge you all to maintain that dignity/integrity which you have displayed here in our country while you are in the holy land.

Finally, I urge you to continue as you have been doing, to pray for our President, Mohammadu Buhari (GCFR), our amiable Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the peace and prosperity of our dear Delta State and good people of Delta State.

I bid you all a safe trip and a fruitful stay while in the holy land.

May Allah Bless Delta State and all of you.

Barr. Ernest Ogwezzy
Hon. commissioner, Bureau For Special Duties, Delta State.                                

 The  Chairman Delta State Muslims Pilgrim Welfare Board, Dr. Ismaila Okudaye while thanking Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for the support and show of love to the Muslim community in the state revealed that the seventy five from the State are expected to depart for Mecca through Port Harcourt.

Dr Okudaye also admonished the pilgrims to heed the advice of the Commissioner and eschew any act inimical to the development and image of the State while in the holy land.

The highlight of the program was a group photograph with the Commissioner by the intending pilgrims.