In 2007, the National Assembly passed into law the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission Establishment Act.
Prior to the enactment of the Law, the Presidential Committee on Christian Pilgrimage, under the Foreign Affairs Ministry, handled Christian Pilgrimage exercise annually on an ad hoc basis.
However, owing to the desire and yearning of the Christian community to establish a corporate body with perpetual succession and a common seal, the NCPC was established.
The Act establishing the Commission empowers it to do the following:
1. To licence, regulate, supervise and perform oversight functions over organizations, associations (corporate and non-corporate) or similar bodies engaged in;
i. Organizing and coordinating the movement (airlifting) of persons from Nigeria to Israel and other Holy Sites
ii. The provision of accommodation, transportation and other services related to pilgrimage in Israel and other Holy Sites
2. To liaise and coordinate with appropriate government authorities or organs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Israel on the rules and regulations governing entry into and staying in Israel for the purposes of pilgrimage, including all appropriate immigration, passport and related consular services
3. To coordinate the provision of health, financial, security, etc. services relating to persons proceeding to, or returning from Israel on account of pilgrimage
4. To ensure the establishment and management of pilgrims camps and related facilities, equipment and such other necessary materials
5. To establish or set up and maintain libraries of books and other relevant publications as well as cinematography and other facilities of use to persons interested in or desirous of undertaking a pilgrimage, so however that the library shall open to the public upon and subject to any condition as to the use which the Commission may think fit to impose
6. To conduct campaign on pilgrimage (sensitization), educative as well as religious, in all States of the Federation, and the Federal Capital Territory
7. To appoint such number of medical practical practitioners and medical staff as the budget can carry.
8. To issue rules and guidelines that ensure State Pilgrims Welfare Boards provide appropriate welfare services and guides for pilgrims.
9. To do such other things that are conducive or incidental to the discharge of the foregoing functions, provided that they do not exceed the mandate of the Commission as provided in the Pilgrims Act 2007.
Consequently, the Board of the Commission was inaugurated on June 28, 2008 by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and commenced operation immediately.
To steer the ship of the Commission, late President Yar’Adua found John-Kennedy Opara worthy and competent and consequently appointed him the first Executive Secretary of the NCPC.
There is no doubt that the Commission has in the last seven years under the leadership of Opara recorded significant achievements.
These laudable achievements were possible as a result of innovations, ideas and strategic action by the Board, Management and Staff of the Commission.
When the Christian Pilgrimage was being handled by the Presidential Committee, the Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in Israel was once in a year.
But with the vigour and innovations brought in by the Opara-led management, the Commission now organizes four types of pilgrimage – the Easter Pilgrimage in the month of March and April, followed by the Youth Pilgrimage for July/August, Family Pilgrimage in August and the main pilgrimage from October to December.
Another innovation is the “Win a Trip to Israel” promo, which aimed at improving the self-sustainability of the Commission and reduce the burden of funding of pilgrimage activities on government.
The Commission implemented the “Win A Trip to Israel” promo in collaboration with the National Lottery Regulatory Commission.
As at May 21, 2016, the WATTI promo has been launched in Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Ekiti, Rivers, Taraba, Adamawa and Kaduna States.
Opara expressed optimism that with the success of the WATTI promo, the financial pressure on Government for sponsorship activities would be drastically reduced.
Another major innovation by the last Board was the introduction of the Basic Leadership and Skill Acquisition Programme, with emphasis on agriculture.
The programme took cognizance of the restive posture of Nigerian youths due to unemployment and lack of direction.
It is a three-day intensive training in leadership and Empowerment Programmes organized for Nigerian youths by the Commission in collaboration with the Institute of National Transformation and the Ministry of Agriculture of Israel.
Opera said: “The training prepares and equips youths with skills for productive self-reliance and entrepreneurship.
“The training ensures that youths who embark on pilgrimage do not only experience spiritual benefits but are also exposed to the needed exportable agricultural skill and ‘CAN DO SPIRIT’ that would help move their Communities forward and improve the economy of the country.
“The training is targeted at helping State Governments create employment for youths in their various states through the establishment of farming activities like poultry, fish farming, agricultural produce etc.
“Indeed the Commission has begun to record success from the first batch of youths who participated in the training during the 2015 Youth Pilgrimage.
“These youths have put the agricultural skill acquisition training to practice and are currently creating employment for themselves and other youths in their various communities.”
Furthermore, the Commission has commenced discussion with state governors for the provision of vast agricultural lands and state guarantee for such youths in their states. Discussions have also commenced with the Bank of Industry to explore the possibility of recommending graduate of the leadership and skill acquisition training for consideration in the disbursement of SME loans, by the banks.
Some of the modest achievements of the John-Kennedy Opara-led NCPC in the last seven years were:
a. Completion of its present two storey Corporate Headquarters building and a four storey Pilgrims Reception Centre.
b. Establishment of zonal offices in the six geopolitical zones of the Federation.
c. Signing of the Bi-lateral Air Service Agreement between Nigeria and the State of Israel in 2013. This, I believe, will further strengthen economy ties with participating countries.
d. Airlift of a total number of 100,000 pilgrims to Israel, Greece and Rome.
e. Restoring of diplomatic ties with Greece and the Vatican after a very long breakdown
f. Sixty-five per cent increase in self-sponsored pilgrims.
g. Establishment of a sickbay/clinic at the Nigerian House in Israel to cater for pilgrims and ensure constant and adequate provision of essential drugs for use by pilgrims during the pilgrimage exercise.
h. Establishment of a Day with Jesus for Nigeria in Israel in 2013. This affords senior Government functionaries ,including the Speaker, Governors and host of others to gather and pray for our country in Israel.
i. The Commission coordinates the provision of health services through the
a. operations of the Medical Committee headed by the ex officio member representing the Federal Ministry of Health; and
b. selection of medical personnel.
It is worthy of note that the selection process has evolved to include online application, examination and instant result, thereby eliminating favouritism and nepotism and guaranteeing a transparent selection process. It is on record that the medical Team comprises of medical personnel from all the states of the Federation in line with Federal character policy of the Federal Government.
j. Licensing of over 67 private tour operators/churches who partner with the Commission in sourcing and airlifting self-sponsored pilgrims desirous to embarking on holy pilgrimage at their own cost. The revenue realized from licensing of private tour operators are promptly paid into the Consolidated Revenue Account as IGR.
k. Restructured pilgrimage activities, which begins and ends in one calendar year.
l. The introduction of four pilgrimage operations in a calendar year to create more options for Christians who wants to go on pilgrimage during the Easter, Youth, Family or Main Pilgrimage.
m. Expanded pilgrimage to Greece and Rome
n. Elimination of past strained relationship between the two countries due to illegal migration by Nigerians in the past.
o. Allocation of land for the construction of its permanent Corporate Headquarters and guest house at the Central Business District, Abuja.
p. The successful airlift of pilgrims from 36 states of the Federation and FCT with the SCPWBs.
q. Establishment of a functional library of books with full ICT compliance at its Head office and E-Library for the use of persons interested in or desirous of undertaking pilgrimage and the general public.
r. Massive annual sensitization and enlightenment campaign to State Governors, church leaders, private organization and other stakeholders.
s. Introduction of the Basic Transformational Leadership and Skill Acquisition Training for pilgrims while on pilgrimage.
t. Signed Memorandum of Understanding with the National Lottery Regulatory Commission for funding of Christian Pilgrimage activities through lottery funds.
u. Commencement of the Pilgrims Saving Scheme in Churches and creation of a platform for persons who are desirous of adopting this approach toward self-sponsorship.
v. The appointment of air carriers and ground-handlers for the 2016 pilgrimage operations.
w. Development of a cordial relationship with other Federal Government agencies like Department of State Service, the National Intelligence Agency and the Nigerian Immigration Services. This synergy has helped the Commission contain abscondment of pilgrims.
Looking back, Opara, the first NCPC Executive Secretary, who was removed by President Muhammadu Buhari recently, said “It is a great honour and privilege to have served God and our great nation in the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission.”
. Osewa writes from Abuja.
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