The Vice President Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima has formally inaugurated the Board of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC on Tuesday, the 21st May, 2023 at the States House, Aso Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Vice President enjoined the 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 in all ramifications in the realization of its statutory mandate of achieving smooth airlift of Nigerian Christian pilgrims to the holy land.
He affirmed that the place of faith is very critical in fostering the unity of Nigeria. According to him ” Nigeria is what it is because we are nation of God”.
The No 2 Citizen of Nigeria further emphasized that inter- faith harmony is the ultimate priority of President Bola Ahmed TInubu led administration and would do everything humanly possible to achieve it, as Nigeria would continue to remain a home for all, stating that through inter- faith harmony, dialogue, peace and love that 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 further reiterated that” this occasion comes with a promise that no citizen of Nigeria will be prioritized over others”.
He advised them to see their appointments as an opportunity to serve humanity and should be a win win situation. His words, ” we are confident that you will not let our people down”.
The Vice President also posited that ” what binds us together as a people supercedes what divides us , thus wherever Nigeria goes, that is where Africa goes”.
He explained that once there is equity, fair play and justice in the board, the entire Christendom would be better for it “.

Earlier, the brand new Chairman of NCPC, Rt.Rev (Prof) Msg. Cletus Gotan thanked the Vice President on behalf of the board for his unalloyed support and for the overt interest he has shown in the affairs of the Commission.
He intimated the Vice President that the composition of the board is such that men and women of integrity had been carefully chosen to serve in the board.
“We appreciate the interest of your government in sponsoring christians in sacred journey to the holy land”.
He pledged that his board would certainly leave NCPC better than they met it.
He assured the Vice President that all the assistance he had given to NCPC would not go unrewarded.

Speaking, the Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Bishop Stephen Adegbite also appreciated the effort and support of the Vice President since the inception of the new board of NCPC.
“Your support for our board is fantastic and fantabulous”.
He further affirmed that with the support of the Vice President and Mr 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.

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Vice President Shettima Inaugurates NCPC Board