No Pilgrim Can Travel Out Of Nigeria Without Clearance By NCPC – Rev Pam

The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Yakubu Pam has said that no pilgrim would be allowed to travel out on Christian Pilgrimage without clearance from NCPC.

Rev Pam, who stated this when he received in audience the Christian Tourism Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CTPAN), explained that taking pilgrims out of the country without NCPC is illegal and against the Act that established the Commission.

In his words; “It is illegal for people to travel out of the country on pilgrimage without due respect to NCPC proceedings. That act will no longer be accepted by the Commission hence forth”.

Pam noted that so many Christian Pilgrimage Operators (CPOs) especially through the Lagos Airport have been taking people on pilgrimage without proper licensing and clearance from the Commission

The NCPC Executive Secretary therefore vowed that his administration would ensure that those caught in the act would be brought to book.

In his words, “I have come on board to make sure that there is discipline and to ensure that there is no corruption”.

He encouraged the Christian Tourism Practitioners Association of Nigeria to always stand for truth and to discourage abscondment among their pilgrims, stressing that the essence of pilgrimage will be defeated if they are more concerned about their personal gain.

Pam also said that the Commission would give the Christian Pilgrimage Operators one year renewal waiver of their license since pilgrimage exercise had been on hold for over one year due to COVID 19 pandemic.

He therefore charged the association to ensure that the composition of their executive members should reflect national interest and not just from one geo-political zone of the country.

Earlier, the President of the CTPAN, Rev. Dr. Israel Kristilere informed the NCPC boss that they were at the Commission to rub minds and seek support on some of the issues the Association was passing through.

Kristilere said; “We want NCPC to carry us along on issues as it concerns pilgrimage”.

He stated that due to COVID 19 pandemic, pilgrimage exercise has not be done for over a year and that NCPC should grant members of the association one year renewal waiver of their license.

The Newly elected executive members of CPTAN were led by the former Chairman, Mrs. Adeola Adekola.