The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission Rev Yakubu Pam has said that the 2020 General Staff Retreat is aimed at preparing the Commission for efficient Pilgrimage exercise in the first quarter of next year.
He disclosed this in Jos recently during this year’s General Staff Retreat for all staff of the Commission. In the words of the NCPC boss” this retreat is aimed at preparing us for 2020 Pilgrimage in first quarter of next year” He was optimistic that the 2020 General Pilgrimage exercise would be one of the best to be conducted by the Commission He further explained that the retreat would serve as a veritable platform to discuss the way forward for the Commission and also an opportunity for the zonal staff to understand the six point agenda of the Executive Secretary. He affirmed that the NCPC of yesterday is not the NCPC of today.
He described the Commission as a family and so does not expect anything less. Rev. Pam further commended the staff of the Commission as the best in terms of commitment to service. He promised to carry every Staff of the Commission along in all the Pilgrimage programmes of the Commission
He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the opportunity he had provided to serve using the NCPC platform. He assured that the Commission would continue to adhere to the COVID 19 guidelines and protocols of the Federal Government. The theme of the NCPC General Staff Retreat for 2020 is “Total Transformation” The last time such retreat was held in the Commission was in 2016.
It’s a general saying that a gold fish has no hiding place and indeed the good deeds of a Man endears him to the world. This aptly captures the recent recognition and honour bestowed on Cardinal Prof. Joseph Dominion JP President, International Parliament for Safety Peace and Justice in Africa.
In recognition of his promotion was of peace a non governmental organisation the Nigeria Youth Advocacy for Good Governance Initiative (NYAGGI) conferred on him Award of Excellence for outstanding service to society and commitment to national development.
The National Coordinator of Nigeria Youth Advocacy for Good Governance Initiative Comrade. Amb. Alabi Akeem Abiodun in his congratulatory message noted that “Cardinal Prof, Joseph Dominion JP has demonstrated his selflessness through consistently preaching peace and support for youth for which he well deserves such a recognition for his selfless commitment to the society, youth development, community empowerment and nation building”.
On his part Cardinal Prof. Joseph Dominion urged youths to embrace peace and stressed that without peace there would be no better Nigeria.
With such a great honour there is no doubting the fact that Cardinal Prof Joseph Dominion is a man of peace and nation builder worth emulating.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim
Commission Rev Yakubu Pam has thrown his weight for a National Youth Peace
Confab to be convene by the National Youth Council of Nigeria NYCN and the
Coalition of Ethnic Youth Leaders of Nigeria CEYLON.The NCPC boss disclosed
this in his office in Abuja during a Press conference by the two apex Youth
Bodies in Nigeria.
Rev Pam who was delighted with the way the umbrella youth
bodies conducted and organised themselves to chart a new course for youth
engagement, stressing that with the calibre of youths championship for a
National Peace Confab, he had no choice but to support the cause of the youth
.The Peace Ambassador described them as very credible leaders among young
Nigerians.
According to the NCPC Chief Executive,” I agree with
you in totality with what you have said today, not just your complaints, but
you have a clear cut direction of what you want to achieve”.
He stressed that violence would never solve any problem, hence he was happy that the youths want to come together to discuss. He averred that Nigeria could only be built by Nigerians; the only strong black country in the world.
He promised to channel their request to the government and
other well meaning Nigerians that could be of help in facilitating the National
Peace Confab.He further reiterated that the only way to find a lasting solution
to our present situation in the country would be to have a dialogue which would
bring everyone together.
Rev Pam commended the President of the Nigeria Youth Council
of Nigeria for his inclusive and credible leadership.
He admonished them to stay away from politics and avoid
violence and other social vices.
In his address, the President of the Nigeria Youth Council of Nigeria,Amb.Sukubo Sukubo stated that the leadership of the NYCN concluded that there was a critical need to urgently convoke a youth peace Confab to consolidate on the positive outcome of the recent youth led public unrest that pervaded the country under the nomenclature of #EndSARS protests; and also consolidate on the healing process that had recently been activated.
He extolled the sterling leadership qualities of the NCPC boss which according to him had shown genuine interest in the affairs of the youth and young people. He further explained that the pedigree of the NCPC boss in peace building speaks volume of his capacity to handle issues affecting the youth.
The President hinted that the National Peace Confab would hold in the first quarter of next year.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission Rev Yakubu Pam recently undertook an inspection tour of facilities at the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos preparatory for the 2020 General Pilgrimage exercise to Israel.
The NCPC Chief Executive was conducted round the facilities at the airport by the Airport Manager,Mr Ayinla Olufemi Rev Pam inspected facilities at the departure hall which still need some finishing touches such as furniture and lighting system
The NCPC helmsman and his entourage also inspected the airport clinic where the intending Pilgrims will undergo medical check up.before boarding. He was also shown. the conveyor belt where the passengers luggages will pass through which had been installed and ready to commence work as soon as it is powered.
At the end of the inspection tour, the No 1Christian Pilgrim Officer of the Federation stated succinctly, ” I am quite satisfied with what my eyes have seen” . He added,” we will no longer travel to Abuja to fly, we will take our Pilgrims direct to Israel from this Airport”, he said. Speaking at the event, the Secretary to the Government of the State , Prof Danladi Auta said that the Executive Governor of Plateau State, RT.Hon. Simon Lalong had been driving the process of up grading the airport and had done a lot of follow up in that regard..He assured that the Government of Plateau State would do its best to ensure that the challenges confronting the airport would be addressed despite the paucity of funds to enable intending Pilgrims to be airlifted from the airport. He disclosed that the State government would do everything possible to ensure that there would be international flights from the Airport in not too distant time. Also speaking, the Airport Manager, Mr Ayinla Olufemi revealed that there were few challenges at the airport but was delighted that the state government had promised to address them such as the provision of scanning machines. It would be recalled that the Commission commenced the inspection of designated Airports across the country for this year’s Pilgrimage in early November,; the Yakubu Gowon Airport is the ninth to be inspected so far by the Commission. Dignitaries at the inspection tour with the Executive Secretary included the NCPC Directors of Finance and Accounts, Mr Joseph Oche, Sir Peter Okuleigbe, NCPC Director of Administration ,Mr Barnabas Ali , Director Operations NCPC Rev Amos Yohanna, the plateau State Commissioner of Housing, Barr Bitrus Zulfa, the Transport Commissioner Mohammed Abubakar and Christian leaders.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission Rev Yakubu Pam has formally flagged off this year’s screening exercise for intending Pilgrims to Isreal, Rome and Greece in Asaba Delta State recently. The Executive Secretary while flagging off the screening exercise in Asaba stated that Delta State would be the No 1 state in the country to had commenced this year’s screening exercise. His words, ” It is Delta State that we are launching the first screening exercise for intending Pilgrims to Isreal, Rome and Greece. He further reiterated that he was declaring the screening exercise in the entire country open.According to him,” by declaring the screening exercise open, Delta will remain No 1 in everything,” he said. The NCPC boss commended the Executive Governor of Delta State,Dr Ifeanyi Okowa for having the heart for the kingdom. He admonished the intending Pilgrims to ensure they pray for the Governor,Mr President and for the well being of Nigeria while in the Holy Land He informed that the screening exercise would be very strict in view of the fact that some intending Pilgrims do not go to Isreal with the intention to pray .In his words” it is unfortunate that so many Christians have taken it like a business trip and a means to abscond” He stressed that the Commission frowns at abscondment hence it is collaborating with relevant security agencies to make sure that there would be zero abscondment this year. He further averred that the Commission had introduced Very strong measures that would make gurantors to be held liable if a pilgrim absconds He decried a situation whereby few individuals had destroyed the image of the country and so Nigeria,s image had been severely bartered Rev Pam told the intending Pilgrims that Pilgrimage is meant for them to have a retreat with God.He added,”the main purpose is having an encounter with God” He further advised the intending Pilgrims to ensure that they are physically sound,fit and strong to embark on the spiritual journey.He cautioned them to ensure that they disclose accurate vital information on their health status in their own interest. He explained that with the global COVID 19 pandemic, is no longer a time to joke with our health situation.He noted that this year’s Pilgrimage would be quite different because of COVID 19. The NCPC boss further hinted that the Commission would organise a three day orientation programme for intending Pilgrims few days before their departure to Israel . He posited that this would enable the Commission to explain in details the real essence of the spiritual journey and the expectations. Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Delta State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Most Rev. Cyril Odutemu thanked the NCPC boss for using Asaba to to flag off this year’s screening exercise.He affirmed that ” because God is happy with the NCPC boss, men are as well happy with him”. He added,”the entire Deltans are happy with you,” He commended the NCPC helmsman for his reconcilatory interventions across the country. The Chairman assured the NCPC boss that Delta State Pilgrims would record zero abscondment this year.
The Federal Government in Collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have flagged off the distribution of food and cash assistance programme in Abuja.
During the launch of the programme at karmajiji, Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq said the Federal government will provide food items such as sorghum, millet and rice from the Strategic Grain Reserve while the World Food Programme will provide cash assistance.
The Minister speaking through the Director Human Resource Management of the Ministry, Abdurahman Babatunde Jaji, stated that the partnership was to provide assistance to the most vulnerable families to cushion the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said the cash and food assistance is targeted at three COVID-19 urban hotspot, Kano, Abuja and Lagos.
The Country Director of the World Food, Paul Howe, said it is the first time that WFP is expanding it’s programme in Nigeria to reach people in urban areas where the social and economic fallout of COVID-19 threatens to plunge millions of people into hunger and malnutrition in Nigeria.
According to Howe, the assistance is targeted at three Council Areas, Amac, Bwari and Gwagwalada in Abuja. About 50,000 people are to benefit from the assistance worth US$1.1million in Abuja. Some beneficiaries will receive three bags of 25kg of sorghum, millet and rice plus N14,000 prepaid cards, some households will receive prepaid card of N38,000, some households will receive direct bank transfers of N38,000 while other individuals will receive N38,000, using mobile wallet.
He noted that WFP is working in Nigeria in the conflict- affected States of Borno, Adamawa and Give, supporting some 1.8 million internally displaced people, returnees, children and women with food and nutrition assistance. WFP is also providing technical support to strengthen Nigeria’s government – led social protection system and is scaling up its direct support in areas where COVID-19 threatens to drive up extreme levels of vulnerability.
The Village Head of Karubiyi, His Royal Highness Dauda Dogo, appreciated the Ministry and the WFP for choosing the community for the cash and food assistance in the FCT and said that the items will be of great benefit to the vulnerable people in his community.
The staff of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission NCPC have been undergoing training programme at the Nigeria foremost training centre– the Centre For Management Development, Magodo, Ikeja Lagos. The training programme is aimed at equipping the staff to effectively run this year’s General Pilgrimage operations successfully and seamlessly. The training programme is all inclusive as it cut across all cadres and levels of staff which is in batches. The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Rev Yakubu Pam who assumed office on 7th July, 2020 promised to improve the welfare of Staff which the training programme is set to achieve as it would serve as a morale booster for the Staff of the Commission. Aside the knowledge gained, it Will spur the Staff to put in their best for the Commission. It would be recalled that the last time such training programme was held for the staff was in 2013. The NCPC boss sincerely believes in capacity building, little wonder that just barely 100 days in office he is able to consider the need for staff to be trained in strategic areas of Christian pilgrimage operations. He has often averred that this year’s December General Pilgrimage exercise to Israel, Rome and Greece would be a reference point and most efficiently organised, hence this capacity building for staff of the Commission is timely, needful and beneficial.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission Rev Yakubu Pam, has said that the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos has always been the foremost airport in Nigeria. He disclosed this recently in Lagos during a meeting and inspection of facilities at the Lagos Airport with the Regional General Manager South West Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and Airport Manager of Murtala Mohammed Airport, Mrs Shin –Aba .
The NCPC boss who spoke through the Director of Operations
NCPC, Rev.Amos Yohanna stated that the meeting was necessitated in view of the
fact that the Commission would soon commence the 2020 General Pilgrimage exercise
in December,hence the need to meet with the airport officials in order to have
a seamless operations this year.
He thanked the Airport officials for the cooperation and
synergy the Commission had enjoyed over the years.
The NCPC boss affirmed that the Lagos Airport plays very critical role in Christian pilgrimage
operations as Pilgrims from the South West including Kwara and Edo are usually
airlifted to Israel from the Lagos Airport.
He further commended the management of the Lagos Airport for
the cordial working relationship existing between the two Agencies.
Rev.Pam reiterated that this year’s Pilgrimage operations
would be peculiar because of the challenges posed by the global COVID 19
pandemic..
He explained further that because of COVID 19 pandemic, so
many restrictions and protocols had been introduced globally to check the rate
of infection which according to him” is for the good of the people”
He expatiated that one of the reasons for the meeting was to
know the restrictions so as to guide the Pilgrims and to facilitate this year’s
operations.
He further averred that the Commission had been monitoring
closely up dates with the Presidential Task Force on COVID 19 as well as
reports from the Israeli authorities in order to keep abreast with the COVID 19
situation in Nigeria and Israel.
The NCPC helmsman further told the Airport Manager that the
Commission would need the assistance of the Airport officials in order to know
the rules and protocols that would guide the Commission,s operations at the
airport this year.
He equally requested for the special assistance of the
Airport management so that the Commission,s staff could be allowed to come into
the airport to guide the Pilgrims considering the fact that most of them would
be traveling out of the country for the
first time.
Earlier, the Regional General Manager FAAN South West who is
also the Manager of the Murtala Mohammed Airport Mrs Shin –Aba affirmed that
over the years the Lagos Airport had been having good working relationship with
NCPC.In her words” We are one family, Lagos Airport is here to serve the
nation, Nigerians and any other public”.
She stressed that it is their duty to have a seamless
operation which is in tandem with the core values of FAAN —-Safety, Security
and Comfort
The Airport Manager also solicited for the continued
cooperation and collaboration between NCPC and FAAN.She pledged for more
cooperation with the officials of the Commission.
She also stressed the need for the intending Pilgrims to be
properly sensitised by the Commission on COVID 19: protocols before getting into the airport premises.
The meeting was the first in the series with the airport
officials. About eight designated international airports will be used by the
Commission for the airlift of intending Pilgrims to Isreal,Rome and Greece this year.
The Lagos Airport meeting was also graced by the Director of
Administration of NCPC, Mr Barnabas Ali, Head Media NCPC, Mr Celestine Toruka
as well as the Head of Security NCPC Mr Allabamu Hosea.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC, Rev. Yakubu Pam has joined other well meaning Nigerians to condemn the Tuesday Killings that happened in Lekki, Lagos State during the EndSARS protest by youths.
Rev. Yakubu in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday condemns in its totality, the use of force to engage peaceful protesters.
He noted that regardless of what the provocations may be, dialogue and peaceful engagement would have yielded positive results instead of the deaths and injuries recorded.
Rev. Pam while praying for the families that lost their loved ones, called on parents and guidance to prevail on their children to stay away from the streets and engage government in a well defined dialogue process which is believed to be the most effective way of resolving disputes.
He equally called on Christian leaders to step up messages of peace and hope on their altars at this period as that has the potency to douse the tension of the already tensed atmosphere.
Rev. Pam while praying for the families that lost their loved ones, called on the protesting youths to embrace dialogue and trade with caution.
Signed: Celestine Toruka, mnipr, fimc, Jp Head Media Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission 23rd October, 2020
Great women and Mothers of Nigeria, what started as a beautiful campaign by our children a few weeks ago has been hijacked by mindless individuals and criminals with a different intent.
As a Mother am heart broken and weep bitterly at the way innocent and young souls whose dream is to bring about justice in our land are sent to an early grave.
I want to appeal to our teeming youth men and women, to please sheathe their swords and give Government time to address the issues. When things are not right, the citizens take to the streets. When the Citizens take to the Streets, the Government is bound to listen. This Government has listened and has heard your voices.
My appeal is for calm to give room for further consultations, so that together we can address the impasse.
Mothers of the Nation, cradle nurturers, life givers, pain soothers, this period calls for calm, caution and prayers. Let us jointly arise to pray for our children and our great country Nigeria. As women, let us call our children off the streets as the situation is no longer safe. The pain and tears of a mother no one knows nor feels the gravity, but only a Mother who has given life to that child.
To our youth, thank you for your statements; spoken and unspoken; written and unwritten.
This is a rebirth of a new order in Nigeria with the youth at the front burner of affairs, but my appeal is for restraint to enable us take appropriate decisions that could be used collectively or selectively in resolving the issues raised.
Nigerian Women, Mothers of the Nation arise and pray.
God bless the great women and mothers of Nigeria
God bless the Children and Youth of Nigeria
God bless our great country Nigeria
