The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission Rev Yakubu Pam, has called for the up grade of the Yakubu Gowon Airport Jos to enable it airlift Plateau pilgrims and other pilgrims from neighbouring States direct from Jos to Israel. 

He disclosed this recently while playing host to the Executive Secretary, Plateau State Christian pilgrims welfare Board, Rev. Fr. George Gorap who paid him a congratulatory visit with his management team in his office in Abuja.

He posited that a situation where by Plateau pilgrims would travel to Abuja to fly to Israel during pilgrimage is not convenient and palatable. He explained that with the number of Pilgrims being sponsored by the government of Plateau State, there is need to fix and upgrade the Airport so that Plateau Pilgrims would be airlifted from Jos. He called on the Governor of Plateau State, RT. Hon. Simon Lalong to who is committed to the upgrading of the airport to use his good offices to make it possible so that pilgrims would be airlifted from Jos in the next pilgrimage exercise. He commended Rev. Fr Gorap for his humility and hardwork. He explained that while serving at the Board in Plateau State, he was able to add value to the system. To this end he stated ” it is my prayer that the example we left behind at the Board will be sustained.” He was sanguine that the next chairman of the Board should be able to continue from where he stopped.

Earlier, Rev. Fr Gorap said they were in NCPC to felicitate with Rev Pam on his well deserved appointment. He affirmed that Plateau State is very appreciative of Mr President for finding him worthy of the appointment. He described his appointment “as putting a square peg in a square hole” According to him, “I know who you are because of the changes you brought to  bear at the  Board.”He further reiterated that on the table of Christian pilgrimage in Nigeria that Plateau State has a space as the leading state with the highest number of sponsored pilgrims in recent time. He said this feat was made possible under the leadership of Rev. Pam as Chairman of the Board. He stressed that the fact that Plateau State is leading, does not presupposes that the state has more resources than other states but according to him, “it is simply because the state has understood what pilgrimage is all about”

Celestine Toruka, NCPC Head of Media.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christin Pilgrim Commission, Rev. Yakubu
Pam has solicited the support of the State Governors for better Christian
Pilgrimage exercise.

He made this request recently while playing host to the
Executive Governor of Ekiti State, who is also the chairman of the Governors
Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi who paid him a congratulatory visit in his Office in
Abuja.
The NCPC Boss intimated the Governor that he was discouraged with what he
met on ground on assumption of office but his visits had made him strong again,
especially the fact that most Christian Governors in the South East had not been
supporting pilgrimage activities.

He told Dr. Fayemi that pilgrimage has become one of the ways to develop our
people. According to the No. 1 Christian Pilgrim Officer of the Federation,
pilgrimage offers a unique opportunity for our people to be exposed by travelling
outside the country and coming back with an experience of a life time.
He solicited the support of the Governor in the building and completion of the
NCPC ongoing new headquarters building at Central Business District Abuja. He
posited that with the completion of the building the issue of office space for staff
would be a thing of the past.
Rev. Pam assured His Excellence that he would strive to light up the image of
NCPC.
He affirmed that peace cannot be negotiated. In his words, “I believed in the unity
of this country and I have worked in every northern state in Nigeria promoting
peace, Unity and Inter-faith harmony”.
The NCPC helmsman further described his appointment as a new dawn in the
Commission.
Rev. Pam urged the Chairman of the Governors forum to support the Commission
by using his platform to put NCPC on a pedestal to move the Commission forward.
According to him, “being the first Executive Governor and the Chairman of

Governor Forum to visit NCPC, we assure you that this place will shine for us to
see”

He commended Dr Fayemi for the developmental strides that had taken place in
Ekiti State under his transformational leadership.
Earlier, Governor Fayemi thanked the Almighty God for his appointment. He
equally commended President Muhammadu Buhari for making an appointment
that was pleasing to God and entire Christendom.
The Governor described the Executive Secretary of NCPC “as the Chosen one”,
adding that his activities over the years were exemplary. He admonished him to
continue to build bridges and promote peace and harmony.
He expressed his immense gratitude to Mr. President for giving the nation an
Executive Secretary who is knowledgeable in spirituality.
The No.1 Citizen of Ekiti state further said that the office of the Executive
Secretary of NCPC was an onerous assignment but he would certainly be able to
make the difference despite the challenges.

Governor Fayemi also described pilgrimage as an opportunity for the people of
faith to reconnect to historically sites. He advised the NCPC Boss to consider the
option of effective advocacy to reach out to the people so that the people of
means could support others to go on pilgrimage.
He assured the NCPC Boss that Governors would give him maximum support to
ease the challenges associated with pilgrimage.

Celestine Toruka
Assistant Director Media

The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission Rev. Yakubu Pam has said that he would make sure he restores the lost glory of the NCPC.

Rev. Pam disclosed this in Abuja on 16th July, 2020 while playing host to the Speaker and members of the Plateau State House of Assembly who paid him a congratulatory visit on his well deserved appointment. He assured the Legislators that he would do everything humanly possible to enhance the operations of NCPC by making it more responsive. He equally stressed that NCPC under his watch would be used as a platform to promote unity and inter Faith harmony. Rev. Pam further stressed the critical roles the Legislators play in nation building considering their linkages with the people.

Earlier, the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, RT.Hon Abok Ayuba informed the NCPC Boss that they were in Abuja to rejoice with him on his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari. According to him, “, the entire Plateau State is here to rejoice with you. ‘ The Speaker further commended President Muhammadu Buhari for finding him worthy of the position. The Speaker reiterated that the NCPC boss had always worked for peace and that his appointment was divine. He urged Rev. Pam to use his good offices to unite the Christians while wishing him a successful tenure in office.

Celestine Toruka Assistant Director Media NCPC.