NCPC Slashes Cost Of 2020 Christian Pilgrimage To Israel
BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) on Tuesday announced a downward slash in the cost of this year’s (2020) pilgrimage to Israel.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Rev. Yakubu Pam, who announced this recently in Gombe at a stakeholders meeting with chairmen and secretaries of States Christian Pilgrims welfare boards in the North East zone, said the cost was cut down to reduce the burden on intending pilgrims considering the current state of the economy.
Pam explained that on assumption of office in July, 2020, the proposed pilgrimage cost was N881,000, adding that after due consideration, the cost was slashed down to N710,000 as against N715,000 package cost for last year’s general pilgrimage exercise. These were contained in a statement by the Head of Media of NCPC, Mr Celestine Toruka in which he quoted the NCPC boss as saying that “the reason for his shuttle to the states is to make sure that Commission and the states pilgrimage administration flow together”.
In the words of Pam; “We cannot run NCPC without having good relationship with the states. The states are our major stakeholders that make NCPC moving. Without you we cannot move forward”.
Pam also said that Holy pilgrimage to Israel is one of the dividends of democracy that believers and faithful benefit from the government which affords them the opportunity to pray, travel and be exposed. He added that a lot of Christians look up to traveling to Israel at least once in their life time and therefore urged Governors of the North East to ensure they sponsor a good number of pilgrims to Israel this year and beyond.
Pam described Gombe state as one of the most peaceful States in the North East even as he condemned the spate of killings in the North East which claimed the lives of innocent people.
According to him; “I believe that we have a common enemy in northern Nigeria that we must join hands to fight. I call on the six governors of the North East States to collaborate in order to flush out insurgency in their zone.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Christian pilgrims welfare Board, Mr Ishaku Karu said it was a great privilege and honour for Gombe state to be chosen to host the meeting of state pilgrimage leaders in the North East. He commended the Governor of Gombe state, Inuwa Yahaya for his support so far in advancing the cause of Christian pilgrimage in the state and also commended the NCPC boss for the heavy responsibility on his shoulder as the Executive Secretary of NCPC and at the same time the Chairman of the 19 States Northern CAN.
