By Joyce Remi- Babayeju
The Nigerian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC, has awarded Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed as the best Pilgrimage sponsor in the Northeast region of the country.
Executive Secretary of the NCPC, Rev. Yakubu Pam gave Gov. Muhammed the award for sponsoring the largest Christian Pilgrims contingent to the Kingdom of Jordan from the Northeast.
Presenting the award to the Governor at the Bauchi State Government House, Friday, December 24, 2021, Rev Pam noted the tremendous efforts made by the Governor in the sponsorship of pilgrims of both faiths to perform their sacred religions obligations without discrimination.
Rev Pam said, “His Excellency has a long cordial relationship with the Commission dating back to the time he served the country as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.”
“Today we are here to celebrate you for your unrelenting support during the last Pilgrimage exercise where you stood out amongst your peers. Your balanced approach to both faiths and ethnicities is noted.”
“My mission to Bauchi State is to appreciate and encourage the Executive Governor and to award you as the best Governor for sponsoring the largest number of Pilgrims in the Northeast.”
Rev. Pam further informed the Governor that the Commission intends to airlift 10,000 Pilgrims for the 2022 General Pilgrimage exercise to Israel, Greece, Rome and Jordan in February.
“We are mobilizing 10,000 Christian Pilgrims for this year’s pilgrimage to Israel, Greece, Rome and Jordan by February 2022.”
While soliciting the support the Governor in the sponsorship of Bauchi State Pilgrims to achieve this target, Rev. Pam commended the him for his impact in areas of infrastructures, youth and women development and empowerment.
, to which he adduced could be visibly seen from within and outside Bauchi State urging the Governor to “keep being a good Leader”.
Rev. Pam who is also known as the Apostle of Peace noted that the governor is a man who does not forget the grassroots and thanked him for his contributions in the just concluded 2020 pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Jordan.
Responding, Governor Bala Mohammed described Rev. Pam as a man of the People for his service to Nigerians.
“I take Pilgrimage seriously and this spurs me to do more.
“My Administration has Built a befitting Pilgrims Transit Camp to be used by both Christians and Muslims.
“I urge the Commission to consider the State as one of the places to be used for transporting pilgrims to the Holy Land.”
The governor enjoined people from Jos and Gombe to take off from Bauchi as he urged the people be accommodating and patient so that there will be peace and harmony in the State.
