The executive secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Yakubu Pam, has appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari, the Secretary to the Government of the Federal (SGF), Boss Mustapha, and governors for the roles they played in ensuring a successful pilgrimage for 2022.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, Rev. Pam said over 2,000 pilgrims were on ground for the Easter pilgrimage, adding that there was no absconding in the just concluded pilgrimage.
He said: “We are here to thank Nigerians for their prayers and supplications on our behalf. We started the journey on December 16 last year and we ran it down to April this year. It was successful without any hitch.
“All the pilgrims that went from different states returned safely. Also, all the pilgrims that came from private sponsors returned without problems. We are grateful to Mr. President for granting us the enabling environment, for supporting us and also for making sure that the Commission continues to move forward administratively, financially and otherwise.
“Mr. President has always been there for us through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. We are directly under the SGF and we are grateful to him. There is no memo from this office that the SGF does not attend to.
“I also want to thank the governors for sponsoring our pilgrims. From the core North states of Katsina, Bauchi, Adamawa and so on, where you see our Muslim brothers sponsoring Christians. It is a very good spirit of brotherhood and nationhood.”
The NCPC boss also appreciated the Lagos state government for “doing so much to promote pilgrimage in the state; the state even has a commission for pilgrims which is being emulated by other states.”
“In the North-central, Plateau and Benue states have been doing exceedingly well in supporting pilgrims. We appreciate them. Of course, we see Kogi and Kwara coming on board. I want to encourage them to keep it up.
“In the South-east, the governor of Enugu state is indeed a friend of the Commission and we thank him for what he’s doing. Recently, somebody is beating the record there in the South-east. He is the governor of Imo state, who has paid for many pilgrims for the Easter pilgrimage. Ebonyi state is waking up too.
“We worried and complained that the governors of the south east, which are predominantly Christians, did nothing, but they are acting now which is encouraging. In the South-south, I must commend Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state.
“I must commend the ministry of Foreign Affairs. The IGP is also appreciated for sponsoring some police officers to pray for our country and I hear that he has done the same for Hajj; so I am really very grateful.”
