By Ebriku John Friday
The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam has informed that the Commission would commence the 2023 main pilgrimage exercise to Rome by the third week of January, 2024.
Rev Pam, who was quoted in a statement by Deputy Director/Head, Media & Public Relations, Mr. Celestine Toruka, to had made this known on Tuesday, 31st October, 2023, in Abuja during a meeting with members of the Conference of States, which comprised all the States Pilgrimage Leaders and Managers from the states Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board across the 36 states, including FCT.
He explained that based on the current happenings in Isreal and the Middle East, the stakeholders have unanimously agreed to have the next main pilgrimage exercise in Rome.
He enjoined the State Pilgrimage Leaders to continue to uphold Isreal and the entire Middle East in prayers so that there would be quick de-escalation of the crisis in that region.
He further urged them to kick start mobilization of intending pilgrims in their various states through effective sensitization outreach.
He lauded the efforts of the states who participated in the just concluded Easter Pilgrimage completion exercise which ended on 9th October, 2023
Earlier, the Chairman Conference of States Rev. Isaiah Magaji who was represented by the Secretary, Mrs. Yetunde Gbafe thanked the NCPC BOSS for his visionary leadership. She urged her colleagues to cooperate with the Commission in order to advance the cause of Christian pilgrimage in Nigeria.
She further commended the Executive Secretary of NCPC, Rev. Yakubu Pam for being able to stabilize the Christian pilgrimage sub- sector in Nigeria and should be commended for the effective way he had navigated the waters of Christian Pilgrimage for over three years in the saddle.
The meeting afforded the state Pilgrimage Leaders the opportunity to brainstorm on the challenges and way forward for Christian pilgrimage in Nigeria.
Some of the state pilgrimage leaders who could not attend the meeting physically participated virtually.
