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  • NCPC Airlifts Third Batch Of Pilgrims to Israel, Jordan Via PH Airport

    NCPC Airlifts Third Batch Of Pilgrims to Israel, Jordan Via PH Airport

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC, has airlifted the 3rd batch of intending Pilgrims of Imo State to Israel and Jordan via the Port Harcourt International Airport on the 18th of May, 2023.

    The Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam in a farewell, orientation message assured the intending Pilgrims that the Commission would continue to provide excellent service delivery to the Nigerian Pilgrims while in the Holy land.
    He explained that the Commission would ensure that the service providers deliver their own contractual agreement reached with the Commission.

    Rev.Pam said,” We have the right to suspend any of our service providers if found wanting”, as he assured that the welfare of the Nigerian Pilgrims would never be compromised.

    He explained that the Commission would continue to do everything possible to make sure that no pilgrim has any cause to complain as every logistics had been put in place to ensure a smooth and hitch free pilgrimage exercise.

    He described the intending Pilgrims as the Ambassadors of the Commission, stating that once a Pilgrim receives the Jerusalem Pilgrim title, he or she becomes the Ambassador of the Commission through the evangelization of pilgrimage.

    The NCPC lead urged all intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of Nigeria, Christ, Imo State respectively.

    Furthermore, he thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for creating the enabling environment for Christian pilgrimage to thrive in the country .
    He also thanked Gov. Hope Uzodinma for sponsoring about 1000 Imo christians to the Holy land after a period of ten years without pilgrimage sponsorship by the state .

    Chairman of the Imo State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Rev Fr Gilbert Alaribe, thanked Rev Pam for the unquantifiable cooperation he enjoyed from the Commission.

    Rev Fr Alaribe also thanked the Executive Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma for his uncommon concern for the welfare of christians in Imo State.

    He urged the intending Pilgrims to pray fervently for the state and themselves in Jordan and Israel.

    It would be recalled that the first batch of pilgrims from Imo State departed for the Holy land on 28th April, 2023 and the second batch departed on 8th May, 2023 from Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu made up of pilgrims from Enugu state.
    This third batch is made up of about 300 intending Pilgrims from Imo State.

  • NCPC boss arrives Uyo, ensures Airlift of intending pilgrims to Israel, Jordan

    NCPC boss arrives Uyo, ensures Airlift of intending pilgrims to Israel, Jordan

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam has arrived Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital today for the airlift of intending pilgrims of Cross River state and Ondo state to the Holy Land of Israel and Jordan.

    The NCPC boss arrived Victor Attah International Airport at exactly 1:15 pm and was received by the Executive Secretary Akwa Ibom state Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mrs Nsikak Orok.

    In a statement signed by Celestine Toruka, Deputy Director and Head Media and Public Relations of the Commission, made available to Daybreak today, the Executive Secretary was accompanied by some operational staff of the Commission to ensure the airlift tonight of the third batch of intending pilgrims that would be airlifted to the Holy Land of Israel and Jordan.

    This batch also include intending pilgrims from Ebonyi State who will be airlifted from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu to join the rest of the intending pilgrims in Victor Attah International Airport, UYo, the statement said.

  • Gov. Ugwuanyi flags Off Enugu State 2022 Pilgrimage exercise to Israel, Jordan, calls for prayers

    Gov. Ugwuanyi flags Off Enugu State 2022 Pilgrimage exercise to Israel, Jordan, calls for prayers

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    Enugu State Governor, Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi yesterday in Enugu flagged off the 2022 Christian Pilgrimage exercise to Israel and Jordan.

    Addressing the intending pilgrims during the orientation programme organized by the Mobilization Department of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission and the Enugu State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, the Governor thanked the leadership of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission for chosing the state for the inaugural airlift of the December 2022 pilgrimage exercise to Israel and Jordan.

    He pointed out that his administration has been consistent in the sponsorship of christian pilgrims to the Holy land.

    Gov. Ugwuanyi. said,” every year christians in our state are sponsored on pilgrimage irrespective of their denominations “. He added,” today, 300 pilgrims would be airlifted to Israel and Jordan .”

    Governor Ugwuanyi warned intending pilgrims on zero abscondment during pilgrimage exercise as he tasked them
    to exhibit high sense of decency and decorum while in the Holy land.

    This was contained in a press release signed by Celestine Toruka
    Deputy Director and Head Media and Public Relations, made available to Daybreak today.

    Meanwhile, he further charged them to ensure they pray for God’s intervention in the affairs of Nigeria and for smooth transition of a new Government in Nigeria in 2023.

    Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr. Yakubu Pam stated that Enugu had made history for being the first to be airlifted for this the December pilgrimage.

    The NCPC helmsman commended Gov. Ugwuanyi for his dedication of faith for his people and also lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the commencement of the Pilgrimage and for his continued support for Christian Pilgrimage in Nigeria.

    In the same vein, the NCPC boss also applauded the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha for his support and guidance.

    Rev Pam hinted that this year’s December pilgrimage exercise is mainly the states affairs and admonished intending pilgrims not to think of absconding in the holy land .
    He said, ” I want all of you to come back safely the way you went.

  • First batch of pilgrims from Israel arrive Amman, Jordan

    First batch of pilgrims from Israel arrive Amman, Jordan

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    First batch of Pilgrims from the Main 2021 Pilgrimage Exercise who left Nigeria last Wednesday have successfully arrived Amman, Jordan from Israel.

    It will be recalled that NCPC had on Wednesday airlifted intending pilgrims to Israel and Jordan. The pilgrims first landed in Israel where they spent four(4) days, visiting Holy sites in Israel.

    The Federal commissioner representing the North East on the NCPC Board, Rev. Dr. Jidda Gelengu who is among the first batch, while speaking on the ongoing pilgrimage exercise expressed appreciation for all the efforts put in place.

    He also commended the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam for what he described as good leadership and diversification, and also for his dexterity for putting together a combined pilgrimage destination.

    Rev. Gelengu also commended staff of the Commission for their commitment to their job.
    Gelengu said, “I am happy with the staff here with me as they have been helpful and carried out their task well, in ensuring all pilgrims are always out on time and together.”

    Also speaking, the Federal Commissioner representing the South-South on the Board of NCPC, Barr. Forgiven Amachree revealed that the pilgrimage exercise has been spiritually fulfilling and so far no abscondment has been recorded.
    Amachree said, ‘We are glad to have successfully completed the days in Israel, without recording any abscondment. I am very optimistic that none will be recorded even in Jordan.”

    He said that the Amman ,Jordan the pilgrims will be going back to Nigeria after having visited the Holy sites in Jordan. “Jordan also has spiritually intriguing sites, so get ready to be spiritually satisfied, he said.

  • NCPC okays 2021 Pilgrimage exercise to Israel, Jordan

    NCPC okays 2021 Pilgrimage exercise to Israel, Jordan

    By Joyce Remi- Babayeju

    Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission NCPC, Rev. Yakubu Pam has okayed the 2021 pilgrimage exercise to Israel and Jordan as he disclosed that the Commission is ready for general pilgrimage exercise.
    Rev. Pam made this known on Friday in Amman Jordan when he and his delegation inspected the Hotels in Jordan.

    Together with his delegation he expressed satisfaction as the inspected the hotels in Jordan.
    He said, ” the wellbeing of my pilgrims is most paramount to me.” According to him, some of the hotels were declared dead on arrival as the facilities did not meet up with the standard and requirement of the delegation.

    The delegation on the State of Readiness visited Bethany, which is beyond the Jordan; where they saw the traditional baptismal site of our Lord Jesus Christ; another site
    visited was Mount Nebo across the promised land and where Moses was later buried.
    Prayers were said by the NCPC Board Chairman, Rev. Yomi Kasali on the Mount.
    The NCPC Boss in company of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority representative also conducted an inspection of the aircraft at the Queen Alia.
    According to the press release signed by Godiya Matthew, NCPC Information Officer at Amman , Jordan office the Commission and state pilgrimage managers are to start preparations in earnest for the forth coming pilgrimage to ensure a successful and hitch free exercise.

  • NCPC kick starts a hitch free 2021 pilgrimage exercise to Israel, Jordan, Rome  

    NCPC kick starts a hitch free 2021 pilgrimage exercise to Israel, Jordan, Rome  

    By Joyce Remi-  Babayeju
    The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCOC,  has kick started  the 2021 main pilgrimage to Israel, Jordan and Rome in first quarter of the year 2022.
     The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam made the disclosure on 12th January, 2022 during an interview with a Media platform in Abuja.
    This was contained in a press release signed by NCPC   Head, Media & Public Relations, Celestine Toruka made available to Daybreak.
    Rev. Pam reiterated the  Commission’s commitment towards  a hitch free  2021 pilgrimage  exercise.
    He recalled that the 2020 maiden pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Jordan was a huge success despite the fact that the exercise took place at the peak of the global pandemic, adding that the exercise also recorded  zero abscondment of pilgrims.
    The NCPC boss noted  that due to the huge success recorded in Jordan pilgrimage, countries like Israel and Turkey are now eager to work with the Commission which is a healthy development for the growth of the nation’s  Christian Pilgrimage.
    According to him, the pilgrimage route for the 2021 pilgrimage exercise would start from Israel to Jordan while the Rome package will start from Rome to Israel”.
    He revealed that the Commission would make every effort to raise as much as 10,000 intending pilgrims for the 2021 main pilgrimage.
    The NCPC Chief Executive also hinted that the Commission as part of its preparation for the 2021 pilgrimage, would embark on the State of Readiness visit to Israel with the State pilgrimage Leaders by the end of January, 2022. He explained that the visit would afford them the opportunity to inspect the Hotels as well as the Holy Sites in Israel.
    He further disclosed that the Commission would ensure that it meets with the requirements of international travels in line with the guidelines of the Federal Government and the Israeli authorities on COVID-19 protocols.
    To this end, he intimated that the Commission had embarked on the administration of the COVID-19 booster doses for staff who had taken the first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine which would be extended to the intending pilgrims in the states.
    The statement also read that the Commission has  included  selected members of the Federal Medical team for the 2021 main pilgrimage were ready and they would be able to render effective medical care for our pilgrims during pilgrimage.
  • NCPC targets 10,000 pilgrims for 2021 pilgrimage to Israel, Jordan, Greece – Rev Pam

    NCPC targets 10,000 pilgrims for 2021 pilgrimage to Israel, Jordan, Greece – Rev Pam

    By Joyce Remi- Babayeju

    Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC, Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam, has disclosed that the Commission is targeting about 10,000 pilgrims for the 2022 Pilgrimage exercise to Israel, Jordan and Greece scheduled for February, 2022.

    Pam said Israel would be opened for pilgrimage in January 2022, while the commission is preparing for February to travel to the holy land.
    The Executive Secretary of the Commission gave this information in Lagos during an interactive session with the media, adding that the Commission had already raised about 3000 of that expected figures from the states.

    This was contained in a press release signed by Celestine Toruka Head Media and Public Relations made available to Daybreak today.

    According to the release , NCPC boss decried that the pilgrims spirit is dying in the South East where there is predominantly Christians scored the least on sponsorship of Christian pilgrims, followed by South West zone.

    While he commended Enugu state Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and his Lagos state counterpart, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu for doing well in sponsorship of Christian pilgrims.

    He said Ebonyi state Governor had promised to sponsor about 300 pilgrims, Imo state 500 and Lagos 300.

    Rev Pam disclosed that NCPC would soon unfold a scheme that would enable intending Pilgrims to save money and sponsor themselves, adding that the Commission would ensure that the church takes over the sponsorship of Christian pilgrimage.

    He said he had been to many states in the country to build relationships with Christian fathers, church groups and the Governors to sponsor pilgrims.

    Meanwhile, Pam who is also a peacebuilder stated that he has been involved in different peace missions to the South East to intervene on the issue of IPOB and the End SARS Protest in Lagos.

    The NCPC boss said he came on board with a 6 point agenda in fighting corruption in the commission, rebuilding relationships with the governors and Christian fathers.

    To fight corruption in the commission, the NCPC boss explained that he had made the procurement process clean by ensuring things like returning travel allowances when he was supposed to travel but could not make it.

    He disclosed further that Jordan has been added into the Christian pilgrimage package while the Commission has put up a strategy to ensure there is zero abscondment of pilgrims.

    Rev Pam said part of the strategy is also to peg the age limit of intending pilgrims to 40.

    On why the commission is not considering including local religious sites in Nigeria on its package, or recognising them for pilgrimage, Rev Pam pointed out that based on the NCPC Act, the body can only embark on pilgrimages to sites connected with Jesus Christ’s missionary journey on earth and that of other notable prophets and patriarchs.

  • NCPC charts new course for 2021 pilgrimage to Israel, Jordan, Rome

    NCPC charts new course for 2021 pilgrimage to Israel, Jordan, Rome

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission NCPC, Rev. Yakubu Pam is charting a new course for the 2021 general pilgrimage to Israel Jordan and Rome as he met with the State Pilgrimage Leaders and Managers, comprising of State Chairmen and Secretaries of State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards and FCT recently in Abuja.

    As a way forward, Rev. Pam who had recently met with Israeli Minister of Tourism and the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria informed the State Pilgrimage Stakeholders that the meeting was very fruitful as it centered on the forth coming 2021 pilgrimage exercise to Israel and the issue of COVID 19 protocols.
    He explained that the Israeli Government promised to receive Nigerian pilgrims on the condition that they would have to receive the first and second dozes of the COVID 19 vaccine and on arrival would also undergo a 5-6 hour isolation until the result of the PCR test is released.

    He explained that the Israeli authority would issues pilgrims a three months Visa as against the two weeks visa policy.

    The NCPC Chief Executive also disclosed that Israeli would commence direct flight from Nigeria to Tel-Aviv during pilgrimage.
    Daybreak reports that the 2021 General Pilgrimage to Israel, Jordan and Rome would commence in February, 2022.

  • Christian Pilgrimage: 2300 pilgrims airlifted to Jordan arrive Nigeria safely – Rev Pam

    Christian Pilgrimage: 2300 pilgrims airlifted to Jordan arrive Nigeria safely – Rev Pam

    By Joyce Remi- Babayeju

    Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission Rev Yakubu Pam has said that the Commission recorded zero abscond of Pilgrims in its 2020 maiden Pilgrimage exercise to the Kingdom of Jordan as the 2300 pilgrims arrived Nigeria safely.
    This was contained in a release signed by Celestine Torkula, Head Media and Public Relations of NCPC made available to Daybreak
    the NCPC boss made this disclosure recently in Abuja.
    He said that the last batch of Pilgrims from Delta state made up of about 300 Pilgrims arrived safely at the Port Harcourt International Airport on Saturday, 11th September,2021 .
    He hinted that the Commission airlifted above 2000 Pilgrims from Plateau State, Lagos, Benue, Enugu, Bauchi,FCT, and Delta state.
    Rev Pam thanked God for granting the Commission success in the 2020 Pilgrimage exercise to Jordan.
    He commended the Jordanian government for the red carpet reception granted to the Nigerian delegation and described Jordan as a perfect example of a peaceful and United Nation where Moslems and Christians live in harmony irrespective of their religious differences.
    Rev Pam disclosed that the Pilgrims had gone to see the original baptismal site in Jordan where our Lord Jesus Christ was baptized, they also visited and prayed at Mount Nebo where Moses was shown the promise land, amongst other important landmark Biblical Sites.
    He further explained that the Holy Land would not be complete without Jordan.
    He stated that Jordan has become one of the Pilgrimage destination options of the Commission while Israel remains the major Pilgrimage destination of the Commission.
    Daybreak reports that the 2020 maiden Pilgrimage to Jordan commenced on 24th August,2021 with the inaugural flight from the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Heigpang, Jos .