“we are confident that you will not let our people down”. Sen. Shettima
The Board of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission has officially been inaugurated by the Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday at the States House, Aso Presidential Villa, Abuja.
A statement signed by Celestine Toruka, Deputy Director Media and Public Relations, disclosed that, the Vice President charged 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 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 a nation of God”.
Sen. Shettima further emphasized that inter-faith harmony is the ultimate priority of President’s administration and would do everything humanly possible to achieve it. And that Nigeria would continue to remain a home for all.
He stated 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 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, Rev Cletus Gotan thanked the Vice President on behalf of the board for his unalloyed support and for the open 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 the sacred journey to the holy land”. He said.
Pledging 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”. He restated
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.
