NCPC BOSS GIVES SCORE CARD OF 2013 CHRISTIAN PILGRIMAGE EXERCISE

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), John Kennedy Opara recently in Abuja Presented a score card of the Commission for the just concluded 2013 Christian Pilgrimage

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), John Kennedy Opara recently in Abuja Presented a score card of the Commission for the just concluded 2013 Christian Pilgrimage operations to Israel and Greece. Briefing the Press in Abuja, he stated that the 2013 Christian Pilgrimage which was flagged off on 19^th October, 2013 came to a successful denouement on 23^rd December 2013 with the departure of the last batch of pilgrims to the Holy Land and their return to the Country on 3^rd January, 2014.

Mr. Opara affirmed that the 2013 Christian Pilgrimage which was the first Presidential Pilgrimage ever was a huge success. He added that there was 40 percent increase in self sponsored pilgrims last year which he attributed to the vigorous and effective sensitization drive embarked by the Commission to the states. He hinted that over 15, 000 pilgrims were airlifted during the just concluded October/December Pilgrimage.

The NCPC boss stressed that pilgrimage should be used as a veritable tool for moral Transformation, hence the theme of the 2013 Christian Pilgrimage according to him was: ‘’ Pilgrimage a tool for moral and Spiritual Transformation’’. He opined that if the pilgrims were transformed they would be able to contribute meaningfully to the Transformation agenda of Mr. President.

The NCPC helmsman also revealed that the Commission during the last year’s Pilgrimage operations was able to airlift intending Pilgrims direct to Greece.

This year he explained that the Commission would work out the possibility of extending its pilgrimage operations to Turkey so that Pilgrims could visit some Holy Sites such as Ephesus. According to him: ‘’ Pilgrims will use the opportunity to visit some Holy Sites in Turkey during their short wait at the airport for security checks’’.

NCPC boss stated that preparation for Easter Pilgrimage is already on, in his Words ‘’Easter pilgrimage exercise process is already on, the airlift will start in March this year, while family pilgrimage will commence in July’’, he said .

NCPC helmsman explained that the idea of family pilgrimage is to build a holy family for a greater Nation as it would afford families with their spouses, children and wards to pray together in the Holy Land.