By Celestine Toruka
Bishop Stephen Adegbite has assumed office as the 4th substantive Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, following his well deserved appointment by President Bola TInubu, GCFR which was formally announced on the 10th of January, 2024 by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity , Chief Ajuri Ngelale alongside eight other new board members of the Commission.
His appointment took effect from January 4, 2024 and is for a term of five years in the first instance according to the provisions in the NCPC enabling Act of 20007.
The new NCPC helmsman reported at the NCPC Corporate Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 with two newly appointed board members of the Commission representing North Central and South South geo political zones, respectively, members of the Clergy amongst others.
Fielding questions from the press, the new NCPC boss described his coming to NCPC as divine, a new dawn and a renewed hope for NCPC, stating that there wouldl be satisfaction for everyone.
He disclosed that he would use his appointment to drive positively the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola TInubu’s administration.
Dr Adegbite affirmed that he has the cognate experience to lift NCPC to greater heights, having been in the Pilgrimage circle for more than two decades. According to him, ” my wealth of experience will be brought to bear in NCPC”.
Bishop Adegbite emphasized that Israel remains the ultimate Pilgrimage destination for all Nigerian Christians and as such he urged every Christian to continue to pray fervently for peace in Jerusalem. His words:We are going to reopen Jerusalem gate very soon”.
He admitted that about half of the members of staff of NCPC are well known to him and as such he is certainly coming into a familiar terrain. He further assured that the NCPC staff could now heave a sigh of relief now that the Lord has made it possible for him to superintend over the affairs of the Commission, because he would ensure that the staff get what they deserve.
The NCPC Chief Executive further maintained that he has every cause to add value to NCPC and would carry everyone along to the glory of God.
He posited:” if I don’t follow the way of Christ, I will be a failure”, he said.
The new NCPC boss promised to serve the new board with dignity as the Secretary and be a servant leader to all.
According to Bishop Adegbite, ” by his grace I will continue to work together with the board and the staff because God created us together “, he said.
He further said,” we are in this assignment of our Lord Jesus Christ together, therefore my appointment is to the glory of God “.
Prior to his appointment, Bishop Dr Stephen Adegbite was the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN Lagos State Chapter, he also doubles as the Metropolitan Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ikeja, Lagos State, he was also a former Director of Planning and Strategy to the immediate past CAN President, His Eminence, Dr Supo Ayokunle for six years as well as a former member of the last NCPC board where he represented CAN.
The new NCPC boss is a doctorate degree holder.
