The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha has admonished the Officials of State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards across Nigeria to discourage pilgrims’ abscondment during pilgrimage. He made this admonishment through the Permanent Secretary, Olusegun Adeyemi Adekunle recently at the Commissions’ Headquarters in Abuja during the closing of the three days Strategic Meeting of the Board Members with Chairmen and Secretaries of States Christian Pilgrim Welfare Boards (SCPWBS) and representatives of the Ground Handlers and Air Carrier in preparation for the 2018 November-December pilgrimage exercise to Israel, Rome and Greece.
Mr. Boss Mustapha stated that reports from various quarters on the activities and attitude of Pilgrimage Leaders home and abroad and also the challenge of abscondments recorded of supposed pilgrims in the last couple of years have given the Federal Government a cause for concern as the sad narrative is giving Nigeria a bad name abroad and makes Christian Pilgrimage appear as an unserious exercise or even a joke.
He further stated that a situation where leaders appear to either condone, and or cooperate with purported pilgrims to abscond in the holy land is unacceptable and the Government view it seriously.
He implored the Pilgrimage Leaders by virtue of their positions to see themselves as diplomats representing Nigeria in the holy land and so provide strong leadership and demonstrate character in the discharge of their duties. According to Him, “Your role as Pilgrimage Leaders go beyond your various states and so defines your positions as representatives of Nigeria abroad. I urge you therefore to see yourselves bigger than your States as you pursue the noble objectives of Christian Pilgrimage.”
He admonished the Pilgrimage Leaders to not forget that Christian pilgrimage is in a unique position is to make a difference to this nation by virtue of the blessings in the Holy Land. His word, “Beyond the spiritual blessings which are very crucial, Nigeria stands to benefit in Agriculture, Technology, Infrastructure, Security and the other Building of decent and nationalist institutions opportunities that can be explored for the good of Nigeria.”
He further urged them to work in synergy to evolve measures that will put an end to pilgrims using pilgrimage as a means to batter Nigeria’s image or abscond from the country. His words, “The primary focus of every pilgrimage leader, which should be translated to every pilgrim is the ‘Agenda’ called Nigeria. Pilgrimage therefore should not be seen as an opportunity for anyone to batter Nigeria’s image or abscond from the country.”
He commended the zeal and commitment of all officials of States Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Christian leaders at different levels and all pilgrimage stakeholders to the spiritual focus and direction of pilgrimage all these years.
He further commended the various State Governments for establishing and supporting the various Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards and their unwavering commitment in ensuring that the noble objective of Christian Pilgrimage is achieved. According to him, “Each State government that sponsors pilgrimage at this time of numerous challenges the nation is facing, deserves to be commended.
He further assured the support of the Federal Government towards the success of Christian Pilgrimage. His words, “Let me assure you that the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to supporting Pilgrimage with the goal that it will add value to peace, development and nationalism.
The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) boss, Rev Uja Tor Uja thanked the Federal Government for their unwavering support to the Commission and towards the success of all the pilgrimage journeys since the Commission was set up. He also thanked the Officials of State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards across Nigeria for their commitment towards the success of all pilgrimage activities not minding the challenges in generating and sensitizing pilgrims on pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
