By Ebriku John Friday
The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev Yakubu Pam has commended the Plateau State Governor, Rt Hon Simon Lalong for leading in the sponsorship of Christians on Holy pilgrimage to Israel.
He made the commendation on Monday in Jos at a strategic stakeholders meeting of the states chairmen and secretaries of states Pilgrims Welfare Boards of the North Central and North West Zones, says a statement by Head of Media, Mr Celestine Toruka.
He affirmed that the Governor had sponsored the highest number of Pilgrims from 2018 to date. He called on other state Governors to emulate the gesture of the No 1 Citizen of Plateau State so as to tap from the blessings associated with pilgrimage sponsorship to the Holy Land.
Rev Pam also commended the Plateau State Governor for sustaining lasting peace in the Plateau, adding that with peace in Plateau, businesses would thrive and investors would be attracted to invest in the state.
The No 1 Christian Pilgrim Officer of the Federation told the major stakeholders from the North Central and North West that the was essentially to afford them the opportunity to strategize on the way forward with NCPC and to strengthen the existing relationship with the states pilgrimage leaders.
According to him, ”we have come here on a strategic major stakeholders meeting ”. He stated further, ” we cannot work together if our relationship is not mutually beneficial to one another “, he said.
The NCPC helmsman also explained that the meeting would help them to generate ideas that would help him in driving the pilgrimage process so that together they could add value to the system.
The NCPC Boss recalled with regret the bad image the Commission was labeled with few years past and thus assured that the Commission would do everything humanly possible to restore stability, integrity and dignity befitting of a Christian Agency like ours.
He used the platform provided by the forum to Commend His Holiness Pope Francis for his prayers for the restoration of lasting peace in northern Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary, s strategic meeting with major stakeholders in the North Central and North West was the second in the series of such engagements, the first was held on 13th August, 2020 in Lagos for pilgrimage leaders in the South West zone.
The theme of the NCPC strategic meeting with stakeholders is” Engaging stakeholders for Inclusive Governance Atmosphere ”.
