Amb. Rev. Yakubu Pam is a unifier of people which has been tested and affirmed by all in the project of Nigerian state. The National Interfaith Religion Organization for Peace (NIFROP), Conference of Nigerian Pastors, Christian association of Nigeria among other numerous Christian groups have attested to the peaceful character of the gentleman as a true bridge builder between Christian and Muslim faith in Nigeria. Amb. Rev. Yakubu Pam is a man well respected in the government of President Muhammadu bunarl, and this is why the international Human Rights continue to be proud with the appointment of Amb. Rev. Yakubu Pam as its Chairman, Advisory Board in Nigeria and West African Countries. The people of Plateau state, the state origin of Amb. Rev. Yakubu Pam  cannot Torse ln a hurry various category of humanitarian intervention especially during various herdsmen attack in plateau state. In coming back to the primary assignment of Amb. Rev. Yakubu Pam the leadership of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, his name is equally written in gold in the area of transparency and accountability. He a truly motivation to the Christian faith just like recently and in the history of Nigeria, he deliberately decided a policy to raise the horizon of Christian faith by changing the number of participant of holy pilgrimage to Jerusalem from 3,000 to 10,000 pilgrims.

He disclosed that the Commission plans to raise about 10,000 pilgrims for the 2021 Pilgrimage exercise to Israel, Jordan and orcece scheduled for February, 2022. Speaking in Lagos during interactive session with the media. Rev. Pam stated that the Commission had already raised about 3000 of that expected figures from the states. The NCPC boss observed with dismay that the pilgrims spirit is dying in the South East. “The South East zone that is predominantly Christians scored the pilgrims, sponsorship of Christian tollowed by South West zone”, he said. Rev Pam said Enugu state Governor, RT Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and his Lagos state counterpart, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu had done well in sponsorship of Christian pilgrims. He said Ebonyi state Governor had promised to sponsor about 300 pilgrims. Imo state 500 and Lagos 300. Rev Pam said NCPC would soon

RELIGION

unfold a scheme that would enable intending Pilgrims to save money and sponsor themselves. Rev Pam stated that the Commission would ensure that the church takes over the sponsorship of Christian pilgrimage.

He said he had been to many states in the country to build relationships with Christian fathers, church groups and the Governors to sponsor pilgrims, he explained that such visit is continuous one and very important for the Pilgrimage process. Rev Pam further stated that he has been involved in different peace missions to the South East to intervene on the issue of IPOB and the End SARS Protest in Lagos.

The NCPC boss said he came on board with a 6 point agenda in fighting corruption in the commission, rebuilding relationships with the governors and Christian fathers.

To fight corruption the commission, the NCPC boss explained that he had made the procurement process clean by ensuring things like returning travel allowances when he was supposed to travel but could not make it.

He disclosed further that Jordan has been added into the Christian pilgrimage package. He said the NCPC has put up a strategy to ensure there is zero abscondment of pilgrims. Rev Pam said part of the strategy is also to peg the age limit of intending pilgrims to 40. He said the sites approved based on NCPC Act include, Israel, Rome, Jordan and Greece.

Rev Pam said Israel would be opened for pilgrimage in January 2022, while the commission is preparing for February to travel to the holy land, On the issue of direct flight from Nigeria to Israel the NCPC boss commission is working on getting the issue of direct sorted out, but explained that Israel came up with a proposal that their security personnel must be in any flight emanating from Nigeria to Israel for security reasons which the commission rejected. He said the agreed plan is for the Israeli security operatives to come to Nigeria to inspect the facilities and security at the Nigerian airports and give their approval.

Rev. Pam said the issue is not which airline operates direct flight to Israel but in sorting out the modalities that would make the direct flight possible. He intimated that the NCPC is currently building a 12 storey building in the Central Business District in Abuja which it started from ground zero, and when completed it would be beneficial to the Pilgrims and staff. On why the commission 1s not considering including local religious sites in Nigeria on its package, or recognizing them for pilgrimage, Rev Pam pointed out that based on the NCPC Act, the body can only embark on pilgrimages to sites connected with Jesus Christ’s missionary journey on earth and that of other notable prophets and patriarchs. He said these sites can only accommodated when the NCPC Act is amended and the sites are verified.