By YANGE IKYAA

The executive secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam, has visited the commission’s North Central zonal office in Gwagwalada to ascertain the circumstances on ground with a view to addressing them.

Pam who led his team on a familiarization visit on Wednesday, February 9 assured that more intending pilgrims would be airlifted to the Holy Land this year than last year.

Briefing the North Central zonal office staff on the preparedness of the commission towards the 2021 general pilgrimage, the executive secretary explained that the zonal officers have more work to do this year, considering the fact that they are closer to the people and can be easily accessed.

“Today I visited the North Central zonal office of the commission to ascertain the circumstances on ground with the view of addressing them,” he said.

The NCPC boss however charged the zonal staff members to ensure that all hands are on deck so that the commission would be able to realise its 10, 000 target for intending pilgrims.

Earlier, the zonal coordinator of the North Central zonal office, Mr. Nicholas Kiva, condoled with the executive secretary over the loss of his mother and prayed God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Kiva also commended Rev. Pam for being the first executive secretary to pay a familiarization visit to the zone since its relocation from Makurdi to Gwagwalada in 2019.

He applauded the NCPC boss for the success of the recently concluded State of Readiness visit to Israel and Jordan.

The zonal coordinator further spoke on the need for NCPC to change its mobilization strategy by getting the Church involved in promoting Christian Pilgrimage.

Meanwhile, during the visit, Rev. Pam inspected activities at the zonal office, afterwhich he expressed satisfaction with the staff. He was accompanied on the familiarization visit by the director of mobilization, Mr. Chris Udegbunam, and the head of operations Mr. Abu Okpanachi.