Bauchi government to partner NCPC on agric, youth empowerment

The Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Bala Muhammed has promised to partner with the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission on Agriculture and youth empowerment programme.

He disclosed this in Government House, Bauchi during a sensitization visit to the state by the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev. Yakubu Pam.

He promised to key into the Commission’s Agricultural Skills Acquisition Programme which is essentially meant to empower the youth for self-reliance.

He assured the NCPC boss that he would study the proposal of the Commission and direct his Commissioner of Agriculture to work with the NCPC team on the modalities for the partnership.

He promised to sponsor more Christian pilgrims to the holy land in the forth coming December 2020 general pilgrimage exercise.

Governor Bala Muhammed told the NCPC boss that he was very delighted to receive him on a day set aside by the United Nations as World Peace Day, describing the NCPC helmsman as a symbol of peace. He stated that NCPC would go to higher heights under the dynamic leadership of Rev. Pam

He emphasized that his government had been able to achieve harmonious co-existence between people of diverse background who had resolved to live in harmony with one another. He averred that his administration would continue to do everything possible to make a difference.

The Governor thanked the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN, Bauchi Chapter for being very proactive and for contributing in the growth and development of the state, particularly in his administration.

He expatiated that whatever that was done in the past in terms of exclusion must be reversed, adding that everyone is being carried along. He equally stated that all the Christians in his government had been contributing positively to the success of his administration.

He emphasized the need for Christians to strive to sponsor themselves on pilgrimage without depending solely on the government.

He intimated the No. 1 Christian Pilgrimage Officer of the Federation that his administration is building one of the best Pilgrim Camps in Nigeria which would be completed this year and would be available for NCPC’s use.

Speaking earlier, the NCPC boss informed his host that he was in the state on a one day sanitization visit in preparation for the 2020 December General Pilgrimage Exercise.

Rev. Pam emphasized that 21st of September every year is observed and recognized globally as a day of peace and this is important because Bauchi is now known for peace having fought battles in the past.

He commended the Governor for ensuring and sustaining peace in the state, adding that other states in the north should learn from the Bauchi example. He described the Governor as a pilgrim friendly personality, stressing that the Commission “is very proud of him”.

He commended him for carrying the Christian community along in Bauchi and for ensuring a government of inclusiveness by appointing Christians in his administration.

He further commended the Governor for his giant strides in all critical sector of the economy of the state.

He informed Governor Bala Muhammed that the Commission would be happy to partner with his government in the area of agriculture in order to practically engage the youth to acquire skills and transfer the knowledge gained to others.

The NCPC Chief Executive further addressed the Governor as an ambassador of the Commission who had sponsored a large number of Christians while serving as the Hon. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

He disclosed that the Commission would flag off this year’s December General Pilgrim from North-East in order to identify with the zone.