NAN-H-101
Pilgrimage
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) Rev. Tor Ujah, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), said the commission would launch the 2016 Christian Pilgrimage on Nov. 17 in Yola, Adamawa State.
Ujah disclosed this while inaugurating the 2016 Pilgrimage Security Committee on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said that the commission had decided to decentralise the launch to parts of the country, adding that Adamawa was considered because of its high number of pilgrims this year.
“Adamawa was chosen because NCPC wants to deregulate it, take it out of the capital and to take it round the country and to Adamawa in particular.
“This year, Adamawa has the highest number of pilgrims in the country.
“We want to encourage them because they are from the North-East and from a troubled area.
“And yet with that kind of massive work, we want to encourage the people and government. Next time, it may be another state,’’ he said.
The NCPC boss said that the inauguration of the security committee was part of the commission’s resolve to ensure a hitch-free pilgrimage and overcome incidences of absconding pilgrims and other security issues.
He urged that the committee would use its experience to develop structures of knowledge and information on how to operate a crisis-free pilgrimage devoid of absconding, misrepresentation and bad name to Nigeria.
Ujah said the commission would like to enthrone a good name, adding that NCPC believed the committee could provide the enabling tools to achieve that.
“ Finally, I will like, as God’s chosen people, to believe in this country and to propagate the virtues and values of this country and to stand on what this country has to offer.
“Nigeria, as a nation, has the duty to protect its citizenry everywhere they are globally; whether living in those places illegally, they are Nigeria’s responsibility and the government of Nigeria recognizes this.
“Being an agent of government, we have a duty of ensuring the protection and support for all Nigerians wherever they go, especially at the time we are moving people in thousands for pilgrimage.
“We have a great responsibility to ensure that everybody is safe and provided for and at each level; we are going to heighten it.
“We have brought people from all the service arms; from the Navy, the Army, Air force, DSS, Police, Immigration and Customs, including retired generals because we want the best for Nigeria,’’ he said.
Responding, the Chairman of the Committee, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Tsehamba (rtd), said the committee would ensure that the 2016 pilgrimage recorded the desired success in terms of security.
Tsehamba added that the necessary security tools and information required for a crisis-free pilgrimage would be provided to guide the commission in recording achievements devoid of security issues.
The committee members included the representatives of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Department of State Services (DSS), Air Force, Police, Immigration, Customs and two retired army generals. (NAN)
OYS/OIF/NKO
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(Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Nkechi Okoronkwo)