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NCPC working to make abscondment difficult during pilgrimage – Executive Secretary
The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Yakubu Pam has said that the Commission would do everything possible to discourage and put an end to abscondment of pilgrims during pilgrimage.
He made the disclosure recently in Umuahia, Abia state during a strategic stakeholders meeting with the states Chairmen and secretaries of the Pilgrims Welfare Boards in the South East geo political zone.
In the words of the NCPC boss, “we are ready to deal with the abscondment of pilgrims during pilgrimage”.
He explained that one of the strategies to discourage the menace of abscondment would be to put in place tougher measures for the guarantors to endorse so that when a Pilgrim absconds the guarantor would be made to bear the brunt and if possible risk being arrested by security operatives.
He decried the fact that South East has the highest number of absconds during pilgrimage.
He called on the South East Governors to embrace pilgrimage by increasing their sponsorship of intending pilgrims to Israel.
He hinted that the zone remained the least zone in terms of the sponsorship of pilgrims despite having about 95 percent Christian population.
He posited that one of the ways Christians could benefit from the dividends of democracy is through their participation in pilgrimage.
Pam intimated that the cost of this year’s general pilgrimage to Israel has been slashed to enable most Christians participate in the spiritual exercise. To this end, he called on the governors of the zone and Church leaders to cash in on the reduction in this year’s pilgrimage to sponsor reasonable number of Pilgrims to the Holy Land.
The number one Christian Pilgrim Officer of the Federation stated that the reason for the stakeholders meeting was to harmonise the existing relationship between the Commission and the States Christian Pilgrims welfare boards.
He explained that NCPC plays a regulatory role for Christian pilgrimage in Nigeria while the states bring the pilgrims. He equally called on States without a properly constituted Boards to ensure that they set up boards in such States so that their pilgrimage operations would be seamless.
He appealed to the states pilgrimage leaders to share and Exchange ideas and experiences so that they would all be on the same page of functionality.
He further admonished the states pilgrimage leaders to ensure that they build relationships with the government and the church. He expantiated that pilgrimage is about relationship building which is part of his six points agenda.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Anambra State Christian pilgrims welfare Board, Prof. Steve Ibenta congratulated the NCPC boss on behalf of other States Chairmen and secretaries of States Christian Pilgrims welfare boards in the zone on his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari.
His words, “we in unity congratulate you on your well deserved appointment. It is God’s decision”. He prayed that God would provide him all the graces he needs to function effectively. The theme of the stakeholders meeting is “Creating Inclusive Government Atmosphere. ”
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Senator Basheer Lado, for redefining the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, stating that, for the first time in a long while, the office is fully meeting its expectations.
Speaking during his visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters accompanied by distinguished senators, Akpabio described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Executive-Legislative relations.
He praised the Special Adviser and his team for maintaining the confidentiality of communications between the President and Senate, and also, ensuring a seamless flow of information. He further emphasized that the office is now more result-oriented.
Additionally, he acknowledged the office’s diligent efforts in tracking all Bills passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, underscoring its critical role in legislative efficiency.
Expressing his satisfaction, Akpabio noted that he and the Senate delegation were proud of the office’s achievements and looked forward to sustaining the existing cordial and productive relationship between the Executive and the Legislature throughout the administration.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Senator Lado presented an Award of Excellence to Senator Akpabio.
In his remarks, Senator Lado reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He lauded Akpabio for his unwavering dedication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.
Ahead of the 2025 political party Congresses, Plateau State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) stakeholders has endorsed the defection of the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections and the leader of Justice and Rebirth, Barr Gyang Zi SAN, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) with the view to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
They made the call in a communique issued at the end of the enlarge meeting of the stakeholders from Plateau North senatorial zone at the residence of Barr. Gyang Zi in Rayfield Jos.
The communique which was jointly signed by Dr. Ayiki Sati Director General, Justice and Rebirth and
Barr. Samuel Galadima- 2024 Chairmanship candidate of Jos East LGA among others said the call became imperative on the sideline of the leadership tussle at the National Level which violates the core principles and values for the formation of the Party as an alternative for Nigeria for the protection, sustenance of democracy and Social Justice.
They regretted that the leadership tussle has also divided the party into factions leaving party loyalists and supporters in the state of despondency and confusion not knowing where they belong.
Our correspondent reports that the gathering included LP candidates from the 2023/2024 general elections, party executives, and support groups from the six local government areas of the Northern Senatorial District.
Besides, the focus of the discussions was centered on the state of the Labour Party at both national and state levels and the need for political realignment ahead of the 2025 party congresses and conventions.
The stakeholders further frowned at the structural weaknesses in LP and resolved to advise Barr Gyang Zi, to leave the party and join the APC while expressing confidence that the APC would provide him with a platform to advance good governance in the state .
The communique also emphasized the importance of political consultations, particularly with APC leaders at both state and national levels. It called for collaboration with Plateau State APC leaders, including Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, Sen. Simon Bako Lalong, Sen. Diket Plang, and other party officials.
According to the communique, supporters of Barr Gyang Zi also pledged to mobilize grassroots support for the APC, stating that their leader’s defection would strengthen the party in the state.
They urged the APC leadership to formally receive Gyang Zi and his supporters into the party, marking their official transition from the Labour Party.
Stakeholders also reiterated the need for inclusive governance, ensuring that youths, women, and less privileged individuals are sidelined in the democratic process and accordingly officially denounced their membership in the Labour Party, declaring their support for the APC.
They assured that all LP structures aligned with Gyang Zi would follow suit, shifting their loyalty to the ruling party in the state and at the National level.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has extended his heartfelt felicitation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 73rd birthday.
Governor Ododo in statement signed by his special adviser on media, Ismaila Isah described President Tinubu as a statesman whose leadership and dedication to national development continue to inspire hope and progress across Nigeria.
He commended the President’s unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is driving economic reforms, strengthening national unity, and advancing the nation’s democratic values.
“On behalf of the government and people of Kogi State, I celebrate Mr President and our father on this special day. Your resilience, visionary leadership, and patriotism have laid a strong foundation for Nigeria’s growth. We deeply appreciate your tireless efforts in repositioning our country for sustainable development,” Governor Ododo stated.
He further reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu’s administration and prayed for continued wisdom, strength, and good health for the President as he leads Nigeria toward greater prosperity, sustainable development, peace and stability.
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