NCPC BOSS COMMENDS ADAMAWA PILGRIMS FOR EXEMPLARY CONDUCT, DESCRIBES GOV. FINTIRI AS ONE OF THE MOST RESOURCEFUL AND PILGRIMAGE-FRIENDLY GOVERNORS IN THE NORTH EAST
Jerusalem, Israel – October 5, 2025
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite, has lauded the Adamawa pilgrims for their exemplary conduct in the Holy Land, describing their behaviour as a model of discipline and devotion. The commendation was given during the Jerusalem Pilgrims ceremony organised for contingents from Adamawa and Imo States.
Represented by the Director of Administration of the Commission, Mr. Abu Okpanachi, Bishop Adegbite noted that the Adamawa contingent demonstrated admirable restraint, discipline, and reverence throughout their stay. He expressed particular delight in their unity, emphasizing that every pilgrim who embarked on the exercise returned intact, without a single case of abscondment or misconduct.
Bishop Adegbite also singled out the contributions of the Governor of Adamawa State, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, describing him as “one of the most resourceful and pilgrimage-friendly governors in the North East.” He appreciated the Governor’s genuine commitment to the spiritual well-being of Adamawa citizens, stressing that such sponsorship reflects leadership that prioritises both moral and social upliftment.
In his goodwill remarks, His Royal Highness, Alheri Nyako, the Tol Hoba and Head of the Government Delegation of the Adamawa State contingent, thanked Governor Fintiri for providing the opportunity for the people of the state to encounter the Holy Land. He prayed that the Almighty would grant the Governor greater wisdom and grace to steer the affairs of the state towards lasting progress. He further praised the Chairman of the Adamawa State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Bishop Theophilus Shedrack, alongside the Executive Secretary, Mr. Geoffrey Garba, for their diligent planning and effective coordination of the exercise.
The Charge D’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Israel, Mr. Ezekiel Ikwe, also commended the excellent conduct of the pilgrims, stressing that their behaviour has enhanced Nigeria’s image abroad. He noted with satisfaction the absence of abscondment cases and urged the pilgrims to continue upholding the values of discipline and responsibility upon their return. Mr. Ikwe further assured that the Nigerian Embassy in Israel would continue to work with NCPC to strengthen bilateral ties between Nigeria and Israel, using pilgrimage as one of the vital instruments of diplomacy and cultural exchange.
The 2025 pilgrimage exercise has continued to record notable achievements, with Adamawa pilgrims standing out for their devotion, discipline, and commitment to the spiritual essence of the journey. The NCPC Executive Secretary expressed optimism that the impact of the pilgrimage would resonate not only in the lives of the pilgrims but also in the broader religious and social fabric of Adamawa State and Nigeria at large.
