The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission NCPC, Rev. Yakubu Pam recently met with the Executive Governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai and also held strategic meetings with the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN, Kaduna State chapter over the killings in Southern Kaduna.
While playing host to the Pentecostal Bishops Forum of the 19 Northern States in his office recently, Rev. Pam affirmed, “Last week I paid a courtesy call on the Executive Governor of Kaduna State as part of seeking urgent steps to stop the killings of innocent lives in Southern Kaduna”.
The NCPC boss actually commended the CAN leadership in Kaduna state for the efforts in ensuring that peace returns to the troubled communities in Southern Kaduna. He admonished them to work closely with the state government with a view to finding lasting and permanent solutions to the killings in Southern Kaduna.
Very Much to theChagrin of the NCPC helmsman,he was surprised that some section of the Media misquoted him out of context.To this effect, Rev. Pam reiterated and affirmed that “he is part of CAN, and being part of CAN, I empathize with the pains of the people of Southern Kaduna and will not speak against the efforts of CAN and what the leadership of CAN in Kaduna State are doing at this difficult period”.
He added, “I hold the leadership of CAN in Kaduna State in High esteem and empathize with them and cannot make negative statements to discourage their efforts in comforting the flocks” Rev. Pam told the College of Bishops of the Pentecostal Bishops Forum for the 19 Northern states led by Archbishop John Praise that they must work with CAN to find solutions to these incessant attacks and killings in Southern Kaduna.
In his meeting with the Kaduna state Governor, Rev. Pam assured him that he would do everything possible to engage with the eminent religious bodies such as Christian Association of Nigeria CAN, Jama’atu Nasir Islam JNI, Mayeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Community leaders and indigenous people in Southern Kaduna in a frank and open dialogue to help bring out genuine suggestions towards resolving the Crisis.
Rev. Pam assured the College of Bishops of the 19 Northern States that it was only dialogue that could resolve the current crisis in Southern Kaduna.
He frowned at the sensational caption by an online Media that “NCPC boss cautioned CAN”, was malicious, misleading and a misrepresentation of the facts; according to him, “it is a figment of the writer’s imagination”.
He called on the media to be circumspect and always endeavor to cross check their facts before going to the Press.
Rev. Pam stressed that he is a family and product of CAN and would not do anything to tarnish the image of this revered Association.
Celestine Toruka
Head Media, NCPC
