By Celestine Toruka
The Executive Secretary Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev .Dr Yakubu Pam has called on the members of the Nigeria/Israel Parliamentary friendship Group of the House of Representatives to the partner with the Commission by advocating for its well-being and that of the entire Christian pilgrimage in Nigeria.
The NCPC boss made the disclosure on Thursday, November 30, 2023 in Abuja during a courtesy call by members of the Nigeria/Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group led by the Chairman of the Committee , Hon Kobis Thimnu.
Rev .Pam said the setting up of the new standing committee by the House of Representatives would certainly help to strengthen not only NCPC, but Israel and Christians globally.
He affirmed that the House of Representatives had done the needful by considering it worthy and deserving to strengthen the C[ommission with the inauguration of the new standing committee that has to do with Nigeria and Israel.
According to the NCPC boss , ” more good things will come through your committee”.
He added, “your coming today is to think with us and profer solutions on how to move the commission forward”.
” I am glad that we have this group in the House of Representatives.”
The NCPC helmsman informed the committee members about some of the challenges the commission had been facing since his assumption of duty in 2020 .
However, he said he had been able to successfully execute six pilgrimages within three years in the saddle in spite of these challenges.
He thanked President Bola TInubu for the support the Commission had received so far from his administration, especially during the commission’s 2023 Easter pilgrimage completion exercise.
Earlier , the Chairman of the Nigeria / Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group of the House of Representatives,Hon. kobis Thimnu thanked the Executive Secretary for the warm reception accorded the committee members.
He said they were in NCPC to introduce themselves and familiarise with the workings of the Commission.
He affirmed that the committee considered the meeting with the Executive Secretary very crucial for fostering good relationship with an expected great impact .
Hon Thimnu commended the NCPC boss for the swift action he took when the war between Israel and Hamas group broke out on October 7,, 2023 .
He called on Israel to exercise restraint on the ongoing war to avoid creating more humanitarian issues in Gaza .
The Chairman as part of the rationale for their visit stated that the courtesy visit was an opportunity to formally convey the establishment of the Nigerian /Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group Committee as a standing committee in the National Assembly.
He explained that the committee would serve as a bridge between Israeli Parliament and their Nigerian counterpart. He also hinted that they would help in the promotion of legislative action by the Israeli Parliament to curb abscondment of pilgrims during pilgrimage.
The Chairman further solicited the Commission’s support in setting up the Secretariat of the Group.
He maintained that the committee looks forward to having a mutually beneficial relationship with the Commission.
