Chidimma UCHEGBU
Vice President Kashim Shettima has formally inaugurated the Board of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC).
It was inaugurated on Tuesday at the State House, Aso Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the Vice President enjoined members of the board to work closely and cooperatively as a team to advance the cause of Christian pilgrimage in Nigeria.
He promised to support the Commission to realize its statutory mandate of achieving a smooth airlift of Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land.
He affirmed the place of faith in fostering the unity of Nigeria stating that “Nigeria is what it is because we are a nation under God.”
Shettima further emphasized that inter-faith harmony is the ultimate priority of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration adding that government would do everything humanly possible to achieve it.
He further assured that Nigeria would continue to remain a home for all, stating that through inter-faith harmony, dialogue, peace and love “we shall emerge more united than ever before.”
“We will make sure that each person in Nigeria practices his or her faith with ease,” he said.
He further reiterated that “this occasion comes with a promise that no citizen of Nigeria will be prioritized over others.”
The Vice president advised members of the board to see their appointments as an opportunity to serve humanity.
“We are confident that you will not let our people down,” he said.
The Vice President also posited that “what binds us together as a people supersedes what divides us, thus wherever Nigeria goes, that is where Africa goes”.
He explained that once there is equity, fair play and justice on the board, the entire Christendom would be better for it.
Earlier, the Chairman of NCPC Board, Msgnr. Cletus Gotan, thanked the Vice President for his unalloyed support and for the interest he has shown in the affairs of the Commission.
“We appreciate the interest of your government in sponsoring Christians in the sacred journey to the holy land”, he said pledging that the board would certainly leave NCPC better.
He assured the Vice President that all the assistance he had given to NCPC would not go unrewarded.
Speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Bishop Stephen Adegbite also appreciated the effort and support of the Vice President since the inception of the new board of NCPC.
He further affirmed that with the support of the Vice President “we will rejoice. We are not going to disappoint God, we are not going to disappoint you”.
Members of the NCPC board were appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 4th January, 2024.
The composition comprises: the Chairman and the Executive Secretary, six members representing each geo- political zones, six ex- officio members representing some relevant Ministries, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
