The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Yakubu Pam said the Commission had been given the power to explore more holy sites around the world.
Pam disclosed this in a statement on Saturday by Mr. Celestine Toruka, Deputy Director and Head Media, NCPC, at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, after the departure of intending pilgrims of Cross River and Ondo states.
He said that the NCPC Act, which established the Commission in 2007, empowered it to explore holy sites with good geographical landmarks and biblical references in the world.
The NCPC boss noted that the commission had extended its pilgrimage scope to Rome, Greece, and Jordan, adding that it was already planning to explore holy sites in Turkey as soon as possible.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for giving NCPC the enabling environment to exercise the powers given to the commission by its enabling law.
He further lauded the two states that were being airlifted from the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo – Cross River state, and Ondo state – for being part of the current pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan.
He hinted that a similar orientation programme is organised at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, which was held in Enugu for the intending pilgrims of Ebonyi state.
They would join the intending pilgrims of Cross River and Ondo to make up the third batch.
The NCPC boss further applauded the governors of the South-south for their sponsorship of Christians to the Holy lands, especially in recent times.
According to him, God is using the governors to advance the Kingdom.
He explained that this spiritual journey was taking place at the most critical time when the nation was preparing for its general election.
He warned the intending pilgrims to shun any tendency to abscond during pilgrimage as the commission would stop at nothing to ensure that such absconder was brought to book with the guarantor.
“It would be recalled that the Commission commenced the December 2022 Pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan on December 16, 2022, in Enugu state,” he said.
