By Abraham Olatokunbo
The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam has presented an award to the Executive Governor of Nasarawa state, Engr Abdullahi Sule, as the Best Pilgrimage Sponsorship Governor in North Central for the 2020 NCPC Maiden Pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Jordan.
The NCPC boss presented the award to the No 1Citizen of Nasarawa state at Government House, Lafia on 20th December, 2020 during a sensitisation visit to the Governor.
Rev Pam said the award was a unique one considering the fact that the Governor is a Muslim who is surrounded by Christian Governors yet was able to sponsor such a number of pilgrims to the Kingdom of Jordan.
In the words of the NCPC boss,” this award is to show our gratitude to you and to encourage you; only God can reward you,” he said.
Rev Pam commended the Governor for his massive infrastructural development in the state.
He particularly commended him for his youth and women empowerment Programme in the state which is targeted at meeting the needs of the vulnerable people in the society.
The NCPC helmsman further commended the Governor for the Cargo Airport project in the state which he said would be of immense benefit to the pilgrims when completed, as pilgrims would be airlifted to the Holy Land directly from the state.
In his remark, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa state, Engr Abdullahi Sule, thanked the NCPC boss for the award which he said was an award for the entire state. According to him,” to us it means a lot, it shows we are living in peace.”
He urged his people to ensure they participate in worth while ventures that would help to promote the image of the state.
He further thanked Rev Pam for his purposeful and innovative leadership at NCPC which had paid off with the success story of the 2020 Maiden Pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Jordan.
He noted with enthusiasm that all the pilgrims from the state who participated in the Jordan Pilgrimage returned to the state more satisfied and spiritually fulfilled. He added that they were all grateful for the opportunity to participate at the 2020 Jordan Pilgrimage exercise.
The highlight of the sensitisation visit was the presentation of award plaque to His Excellency the Executive Governor of Nasarawa state by the NCPC boss who also presented the 2021 Main pilgrimage package to the Governor.
The award presentation was witnessed by the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa state, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, Chairman and Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, the NCPC Director of Mobilisation, Mr Chris Udegbunam, the Head Media and Public Relations NCPC, Celestine Toruka, the Head Protocol NCPC, Mrs Charlene Makai and other state officials.
