As part of the preparation for the 2023 Main Pilgrimage exercise to Rome and Greece scheduled for early next year, the Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam led the delegation of the States Pilgrimage Leaders and Managers to a strategic meeting with a prominent tour operator, Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi in Vatican on Tuesday, December 20, 2023.
At the meeting, the NCPC boss affirmed that” the biggest preparation for the next pilgrimage in Rome and Greece is prayer.
He explained that even if every arrangement was put in place for a successful pilgrimage outing, “we will not be able to achieve much without prayer,” he said.
He enjoined the Pilgrimage leaders and managers to know that prayer is the only thing that would make the difference in the outcome of the next pilgrimage in Rome and Greece.
He further stressed that if the Commission and the pilgrimage leaders were able to organize a successful pilgrimage exercise to Rome and Greece, it would open up a new vista for their pilgrimage experience.
He maintained that the biggest task before them was the execution of the Rome and Greece Pilgrimage, hence all hands must be on deck to have a successful pilgrimage outing.
Rev. Pam commended the tour company for their long history of pilgrimage in Rome and Vatican.
He intimated his hosts that the Pilgrimage leaders were representatives of about 36 states in Nigeria called the states Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards.
He emphasized that by virtue of the NCPC Act, the Commission is empowered to coordinate and supervise the activities of Christian Pilgrimage in Nigeria.
According to him, ” we need a well planned and organized Pilgrimage”. He further averred,” we are here to discuss the next year Pilgrimage, we want your organization to stand in the gap for visas”.
He further enjoined them to look at the issue of transportation, feeding and ensure that the hotels are good .
In the words of Rev Pam,” we will want you to give us assurance that you will be able to put this together”.
Earlier, the Chairman of Conference of States, Rev. Isaiah Magaji enjoined his colleagues to cooperate with NCPC towards the actualization of the forthcoming Rome and Greece Pilgrimage exercise.
He also thanked the officials of the tour company for their warm reception, while assuring them of a mutually beneficial relationship.
