Israel Remains Only Recognised Christian Pilgrimage Destination – NCPC Boss

The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite has declared that the only recognized pilgrimage destination is Israel, stressing that no pilgrimage will be complete without stepping into Israel.

This was as he assured that the Commission would have a robust synergy with the Christian Tourism Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CTPAN) of a robust synergy between it and the NCPC.

The NCPC Executive Secretary assured that there would be no cutting corners as every due process would be followed and approval from the federal government secured before embarking on any pilgrimage.

Adegbite, who stated these on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at a meeting with the members of the CTPAN at NCPC’s corporate headquarters in Abuja, said that it is a new dawn and a new beginning for NCPC for which CTPAN would be part of the success story.

“We are going to work together and I promise you openness, everyone will contribute their quota because I believe we all are endowed with different blessings. No one is useless and none is indispensable, as such, we should complement each other”, he said.

The NCPC boss commended the efforts of CTPAN for being part of the Commission and their resilience even amid undaunting challenges and for filling the gap as implementing partners of NCPC.

Adegbite also stressed the need to evolve a Pilgrimage calendar of activities for easy planning and effective pilgrimage programme, saying; “our pilgrimage has to be properly regulated so that we can do everything harmoniously”.

He said that pilgrimage is a passion to him adding that the NCPC is a light to the nation, adding that his administration would enthrone an inclusive leadership structure with CPTAN so that all the concerns of the  Association will be well taken care of.

He further disclosed that the issue of abscondment would not be taken with levity during his administration, adding that he would do everything possible to discourage abscondment during Pilgrimage.

He explained that Pilgrimage is not a jamboree, stating that there must be a fulfillment of the purpose of pilgrimage and assured that he would be a servant leader and would continue to work with dignity and integrity.

Earlier, the President of the CTPAN, Rev Israel Kristilere congratulated Bishop Adegbite for his deserved appointment as the 4th substantive Executive Secretary of NCPC, adding that the appointment was a timely rescue and renewal of hope in the pilgrimage history.

Kristilere noted that the position was given to an experienced and well-educated personality, adding that Bishop Adegbite has all it takes to take pilgrimage activities to greater heights considering his antecedents and cognate experience in the pilgrimage sub-sector over the years.

He said that with Bishop Adegbite, the CTPAN has a partner in progress and therefore solicited the support of NCPC to open up pilgrimage activities to Israel and Jordan so that they can continue with their pilgrimage activities.