The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, has admonished officials of State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards across Nigeria to end pilgrims’ abscondment during pilgrimage.
Mustapha made this known through the Permanent Secretary, Olusegun Adeyemi Adekunle on Tuesday during the closing of a three-day Strategic Meeting of the Board Members with Chairmen and Secretaries of States Christian Pilgrim Welfare Boards (SCPWBS) and representatives of the Ground Handlers and Air Carrier in preparation for the 2018 November-December pilgrimage exercise to Israel, Rome and Greece.
He said reports from various quarters on the activities and attitude of pilgrimage leaders home and abroad as well as pilgrims who ran away during the trips in the last couple of years have given the Federal Government a cause for concern as the sad narrative is giving Nigeria a bad name abroad and makes Christian Pilgrimage appear as an unserious exercise.
The SGF said a situation where leaders appear to either condone, and or cooperate with purported pilgrims to abscond in the Holy Land is unacceptable.
“Your roles as Pilgrimage Leaders go beyond your various states and so define your positions as representatives of Nigeria abroad. I urge you therefore to see yourselves bigger than your States as you pursue the noble objectives of Christian Pilgrimage.”
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev Uja Tor Uja, lauded the federal government for her unwavering support to the Commissio.
He also commended the efforts of officials of State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards across Nigeria for their commitment towards the success of all pilgrimage activities despite the challenges.
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
