NCPC to South-east governors: Promote indigent citizens’ participation in pilgrimage

The Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) has called in governors in South-east to support indigent but deserving Christians to make a journey to holy sites in their lifetime.

Southeast zonal coordinator of NCPC, Mrs Nneamaka Opara Gladys, made the plea when he received officials from Anambra state pilgrims office in Enugu.

Opara commended Imo and Enugu state governments for supporting their citizens to participate in the spiritual excursion by approving pilgrimage sponsorship for them over the years.

She said Pilgrimage experience was important for spiritual upliftment of the individual and value reorientation of the society.

The zonal coordinator called in other state governors in the zone to avail their citizens the opportunities in the pilgrimage to holy sites by supporting deserving but less privileged Christians.

She commended officials of the Anambra pilgrims office for the visit and assured that the NCPC, Enugu office would provide necessary guidance and assistance to them for effective service delivery.

She encouraged the Anambra pilgrims office and others in the Southeast to feel free to contact the zonal office whenever it needed clarification or assistance, noting that it was set up for the purpose.

Opara also gave an update on the current pilgrimage protocols and travel advisory to some countries including Israel where a ban on visits was lifted recently.

Earlier in his address, Mr Odira Ezeh, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Pilgrims Affairs said the visit was to forge a stronger partnership between his office and the NCPC Southeast Zonal Office for the purpose of enhanced pilgrim administration in Anambra.

Ezeh applauded the Soludo’s administration for showing commitment to pilgrimage affairs in Anambra by reestablishing the office, adding that the renewed interest was already opening new opportunities on pilgrimage affairs for the citizens of the state.

He also commended the Deputy Governor for providing good supervision and supporting activities and initiatives aimed at not just increasing access to pilgrimage but developing religious tourism in Anambra.

“Some of these initiatives are important because pilgrimage activities in Anambra had been inactive for some time and this had led to a decline in public awareness.

“The Anambra Pilgrims Summit we are planning to hold in October is one of the activities we want to use to educate residents on pilgrimage benefits and how they can participate without challenges,” he said.