2016 PILGRIMAGE: NCPC TARGETS ZERO ABSCONDMENT

The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission Rev. Tor Uja has said that the Commission would strive to achieve zero abscondment in this year’s pilgrimage exercise to Israel, Rome and Greece. He disclosed this in Abuja while playing host to the members of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs who were in NCPC for an oversight function.

 He described abscondment as one of the major issues confronting the Commission. To this end, he informed members of the Hallowed Chambers that the Commission had set up an enlarged Security Sub-Committee comprising different Security Agencies and the Armed Forces to help in arresting the security situation during Pilgrimage.

Consequently, Rev. Uja hinted that the Commission would organize security orientation training on 18th and 19th November, 2016 for all the Security Personnel and Staff of the Commission that would be involved in this year’s Pilgrimage operations.

He intimated the Senators that the Commission has set in motion the process of re-engineering pilgrimage process and is working on the process of intensifying the Spiritual content of pilgrimage.

The NCPC boss also informed the Committee that the Commission was working towards Nigerianization and Christianization of it’s pilgrimage process. He explained that all Ground Handlers and Air Carriers have been instructed to ensure that all their sourveneirs are produced in Nigerian National colors.

The NCPC Helmsman informed the distinguished Senators that the flag off of this year’s pilgrimage would take place in Yola, Adamawa State. According to him: “there is need to rotate the flag off to other States.” He however hinted that Adamawa State has the highest number of pilgrims this year.

In his remark, the Chairman Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Sen. Tijani Kaura informed that members of the Committee were in NCPC to interact with the Executive Secretary and to assess the performance of the 2016 budget, so as to help them prepare for the 2017 budget proposal.

He further explained that the Committee is saddled with the responsibility of over sighting the Commission on budget.

Sen. Kaura commended NCPC for the expansion of the scope of pilgrimage to Greece and Rome. He affirmed that the Commission would continue to grow from strength to strength.

The Chairman also used the opportunity of the visit to congratulate the NCPC boss on his well deserved appointment. His words: “we look forward to working with you closely to make your tenure more rewarding”.

All members of the Committee commended the Commission for its giant strides and for introducing laudable innovations to the pilgrimage process, inspite of the present economic challenges of the nation.

{gallery}SENATE COMMITTEE ON FEDERAL CHARACTER{/gallery}