The Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has declared that it is poised to include Turkey as one of its latest pilgrimage destinations in the coming year.
The NCPC Executive Secretary, Rev. Yakubu Pam, who disclosed this at the third Annual General Staff Retreat of the Commission in Jos Plateau State, said in line with this, a team from the Commission visited Turkey this year to explore the Christian holy sites in the Middle East country.
Pam assured that the Commission will continue to explore more holy sites around the world in line with its Enabling Act of 2007.
The Executive Secretary mentioned that he assumed office at a most challenging time in the history of pilgrimage occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, which posed restrictions for international travel globally and its attendant economic effects.
According to him, despite the challenges, the Commission under his leadership was able to successfully execute six pilgrimages within three years of being in the saddle.
“However, it was at the peak of the pandemic that the Commission was able to discover Jordan as a new pilgrimage destination, which later culminated in the actualisation of our maiden pilgrimage to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 2021,” he said.
He commended the sacrificial efforts of the entire NCPC staff over the years, adding that their commitment to work and selfless service to the Commission were uncommon, while professional conduct during pilgrimage operations was worthy of emulation.
In his address, Governor Caleb Muftwang of Plateau State said the theme of the retreat ‘Leadership Transformation for Strategic Productivity,’ highlighted the Commission’s commitment to instigate a paradigm shift in leadership approaches, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and effectiveness.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Ngo Josephine Piyo, stated that it was through such transformational leadership that the government could create positive change and achieve its goals.
Governor Muftwang commended Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam, the Chief Facilitator of the retreat, for his unwavering dedication to staff development, adding that his administration attaches great importance to the spiritual lives of citizens.
. TheWitness
