NCPC slashes cost of 2020 pilgrims to Israel

The Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission NCPC, says the cost of this year’s pilgrims to Israel has been reviewed downwards.

This was made known recently in Gombe by the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission Rev Yakubu Pam during a stakeholders meeting with chairmen and secretaries of States Christian Pilgrims welfare boards in the North East zone.

The NCPC boss stated that the cost was cut down to reduce the burden on intending pilgrims considering the current state of the economy. He explained that on assumption of office in July, 2020, the proposed pilgrimage cost was N881,000 but after due consideration, the cost was slashed down to N710,000 as against N715,000 package cost for last year’s general pilgrimage exercise.

Rev. Pam explained that the reason for his shuttle to the states was to make sure that NCPC and the states pilgrimage administration flows together.

In his words: “we cannot run NCPC without having good relationship with the states. He added,” the states are our major stakeholders that make NCPC moving without you we cannot move forward “.

The NCPC boss explained that Holy pilgrimage to Israel is one of the dividends of democracy that believers and faithful benefit from the government which affords them the opportunity to pray, travel and be exposed. He added that a lot of Christians look up to traveling to Israel at least once in their life time.

He urged the Governors in the North East to ensure they sponsor a good number of Pilgrims to Israel this year and beyond. He described Gombe state as one of the most peaceful States in the North East.

He condemned the spate of killings in the North East which had claimed the lives of innocent people. In his words, “I believe that we have a common enemy in northern Nigeria that we must join hands to fight”.

He called on the six governors of the North East States to collaborate in order to flush out insurgency in their zone.

In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the Gombe state Christian pilgrims welfare Board, Mr Ishaku Karu said it was a great privilege and honour for Gombe state to be chosen to host the meeting of state pilgrimage leaders in the North East.

He commended the Governor of Gombe state, Inuwa Yahaya for his support so far in advancing the cause of Christian pilgrimage in the state

He also commended the NCPC boss for the heavy responsibility on his shoulder as the Executive Secretary of NCPC and at the same time the Chairman of the 19 States northern CAN.