Christian pilgrimage, strongest instrument to recover Nigeria —NCPC boss

The executive secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrimage Commission (NCPC), Reverend Tor Uja, has charged all Christians and clerics in all denominations, to make it a duty to collectively rise and heal Nigeria and the entire world through prayers, diligence, planning and spiritual engagements.

He added that Nigeria has what it takes to restore the country and some other countries where the gospel is gradually fading away.

Uja, during his keynote address at the first official meeting with the Christian Pilgrimage Private Tour Operators (PTOs), at Methodist Cathedral, Palm Avenue, Mushin, Lagos State, on Thursday, also stated that the commission doesn’t need the Federal Government’s patronage.

He said that the church as a body in Nigeria is competent to take care of its responsibilities as well as take charge of its position in the country.

He added that he was currently making plans to change people’s orientation about the pilgrim exercise, adding that, “I want to charge Christians and PTOs not to see the pilgrimage exercise as tourism, but as a way to impact spiritual engagements, focus on the Nigeria of our dreams and be productive.

“We will have a blueprint of the guidelines and we will arrange trainings for the PTOs before the end of the year. The commission will also initiate a policy to ban any PTO operating outside the association,” he said.

Uja also noted that plans were in the pipeline to re-organise the sites pilgrims visited during the exercise, saying that “I want to replace some sites people visit with places that will affect people’s lives spiritually and positively. I will also ensure that tourists will no longer guide our pilgrims. However, we will make provision to guide ourselves.”

The Chairperson of PTOs, Mrs Adekola Adola, on behalf of the association, congratulated Reverend Uja on his appointment, while she assured of the support and cooperation of the association for the executive secretary.