Tag: Pilgrimage

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam has commended the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as a foremost pilgrimage friendly Governor.

The NCPC Boss said this in Abuja on Monday, 16th January, 2023 at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja during the airlift by the Commission of intending pilgrims from Delta State to Israel and Jordan.

He commended the Governor for always taking a lead in the sponsorship of Christians, especially as witnessed in the high number of intending Pilgrims from the state to the Holy Land of Israel and Jordan during the December 2022 Pilgrimage exercise.

Rev. Pam said that the Commission would continue to partner with the Delta State Government through a sustained synergy.

He noted that the NCPC as the limelight of the country had been creating positive awareness about its pilgrimage activities across the country and would continue to advance the cause of Christian Pilgrimage in Nigeria.

Rev. Pam affirmed that the reason why the Commission had continued to leverage on its mandate of airlifting Christians to the Holy Land is hinged on the fact that the Commission was determined to build on the unity built by our founding fathers by ensuring that pilgrimage serves as a tool for social cohesion.

The NCPC Boss also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing him as the third substantive Executive Secretary of the Commission and for entrusting him with the enormous responsibility of superintending over the affairs of the Commission and Christian Pilgrimage in Nigeria.

He further thanked the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha whose office supervises the activities of the Commission for the support the Commission had enjoyed under his leadership.

Meanwhile, Rev. Pam admonished all intending pilgrims to shun abscondment and to ensure that on 25th January, 2023 they would return to Nigeria with no single case of abscondment.

Speaking, the Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties Delta State, Hon. Johnbull Edema urged all intending pilgrims to use the opportunity of the pilgrimage to pray for the country, and the government of Delta State.

He thanked the Executive Governor of Delta State, H.E Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for making the dreams of Christians in Delta State come true by his consistency in the sponsorship of Christians to the Holy Land.

Chairman, Delta State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Most Rev. Cyril Odutemu charged the intending pilgrims to conduct themselves properly and decently while in the Holy Land. He cautioned them not to bring shame to themselves, their family, the State and the Country.

Most Rev. Odutemu said, “this journey will always make or mar as Ambassadors of Christ and Nigeria.

The Clergy also urged the intending Pilgrims to pray for Nigeria and for the success of the forthcoming general election.

Executive Secretary Delta State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Apostle Samuel Okoh congratulated the intending pilgrims for the opportunity of going on Pilgrimage at a time like this, as he admonised them to be of good character as there would be no room to escape in the Holy Land.

He also thanked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his sponsorship of the intending pilgrims while thanking the members of the Delta State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board for their efforts in actualizing the pilgrimage project.

In a press release signed by Celestine Toruka, Deputy Director/ Head Media and Public Relations, 300 intending pilgrims which comprises Delta and Akwa Ibom State were airlifted to the Holy land of Israel and Jordan under the NCPC fourth batch of December 2022 Pilgrimage Exercise to Israel and Jordan.

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

As the NCPC commences the Financial bid opening for the 2022 Pilgrimage to Israel, Jordan, Rome and Greece, the Executive Secretary, Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam said the process would have a better impact on the exercise.

Rev. Pam gave this assurance yesterday at the financial bid opening process which took place at the NCPC Conference hall on 7th November, 2022.

He said, “the essence of the bidding is not just about the opening of it, but majorly has to do with services given to distinguished Nigerians who have paid their money to be used judiciously while on pilgrimage to the Holy land and should receive good and quality services.”

He disclosed that since his past two years in office, some service deliveries have been very successful, especially the Commission’s maiden pilgrimage to Jordan.

Likewise, he said, “We were able to deliver to Nigerians who were proud of NCPC; today the story is still fresh in the minds of Nigerians that they received a red carpet reception in Jordan, five star hotels were used, the food was tasteful and airbuses used were sound and good.”

The NCPC boss, however, noted that the last pilgrimage to Rome had many challenges and hitches which must be worked on going forward.

He further disclosed that it was an experience NCPC would never wish to have in its entire history, adding that “it is on this basis that the bidding exercise must be looked into carefully.

Rev. Pam intimated the bidders that the last pilgrimage report is still being scrutinized to correct mismanagement for future operations.
He assured that he would scrutinize every aspect of the bidding process to ensure the possibility of very resounding services for Nigerians.

He said, “It is not about NCPC alone but Nigerians and distinguished Nigerians”, “it is based on this that I wish you all good luck in this exercise.”

All the Directors of the Commission and Management staff witnessed the financial bid opening, as well as observers from the Civil Society Organization.

In September 2022, the Commission held its technical bid opening for all its service providers for the 2022 pilgrimage exercise and those who met with the criteria for selection were invited for the financial bid.

The bid opening exercise was conducted by the Head of Procurement, Mr. Sunday Umojose. The bid opening exercise had submissions from one air carriers and four ground handlers. He intimated the bidders that the evaluation processes would start as soon as possible, while assuring that the entire selection process would be free and fair.

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

The Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam has said that the Commission would commence and promote direct flight to Israel to curtail flight expenses and discourage abscondment by Pilgrims.

This was contained in a press release signed by Deputy Director/ Head Media and Public Relations of the Commission, made available to Daybreak today.

The release stated that Rev. Pam made this known yesterday when he received the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E Mr Michael Freeman and the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace Airline, Chief Allen Onyema in his office in Abuja.

NCPC boss said,” having a direct flight to Israel by a Nigerian Airline will reduce the cost of flight drastically and reduce the issue of abscondment.”

He said, ” our joy is that our own person, a Nigerian will be the first to have this opportunity to airlift pilgrims directly to Israel.”
Rev Pam hinted that by the end of November, next month, the inaugural direct flight from Nigeria to Israel would be launched.
He thanked the Ambassador for considering it imperative to pay a courtesy visit to NCPC for the first time, just barely nine months in office.

He said, ” we are very humble to receive you here in your capacity as one who represents the entire country of Israel in Nigeria.”

He affirmed that NCPC was set up primarily to coordinate and supervise the movement of Christians to Israel and other Holy Sites around the world.

He commended the Ambassador for his zeal and doggedness in charting a way forward for Christian Pilgrimage and lauded the Envoy for his network of relationship both in Nigeria and Israel.
The NCPC helmsman also commended the Chief Executive officer of Air Peace Airline for his sacrificial leadership and good humanitarian heart.

The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E Mr Michael Freeman thanked the NCPC boss for deploying all his energies in advancing the cause of Christian Pilgrimage in Nigeria.

He stated that he was very excited to work with NCPC, noting “we have a true partnership to grow together.”

The Envoy thanked the NCPC boss for his excellent leadership style and passion for Pilgrimage.

Chief Executive officer of Air Peace airline, Chief Allen Onyema reaffirmed that sooner than later history would be made in Nigeria with the inaugural flight , as he assured that the airline has the capacity to airlift Nigerian pilgrims through direct flight to Israel successful.