Abuja: Bishop Stephen Adegbite, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), has revealed that more than 40,000 Nigerians have been transported to the Holy Land since he took office two years ago. This announcement was made during a briefing with newsmen in Abuja to mark the second anniversary of his tenure.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Adegbite described this achievement as a testament to faith, improved administration, and government support. Under his leadership, the commission has ensured that no pilgrimage year recorded fewer than 20,000 pilgrims, including those sponsored by the government.
He detailed the commission’s activities, highlighting five major operations conducted since his tenure began. These included the main pilgrimage, Executive One, Executive Two, the Easter pilgrimage, and the ongoing 2025 main pilgrimage, which is set to conclude in Los Angeles next month.
The executive secretary emphasized advancements in airlift operations, notably the introduction of wide-body aircraft for the pilgrimages. “For the first time, we brought a Boeing 777 to Nigeria with a capacity of 525 pilgrims, and subsequently, another aircraft that carries 550 passengers,” he stated.
Adegbite addressed criticisms regarding government financial support for pilgrimages, defending it as a spiritual investment yielding national benefits. He noted the importance of pilgrims praying for Nigeria and commended President Bola Tinubu for his support of both Christian and Muslim pilgrimages, describing the president as a leader who believes in prayer.
On the issue of pilgrims who abscond after their pilgrimage, Adegbite acknowledged that while it cannot be entirely eliminated, significant reductions have been achieved. He attributed these improvements to new administrative measures, enhanced staff discipline, and a focus on security.
The NCPC head also discussed reforms in selecting medical personnel for pilgrimages, emphasizing the importance of experience and performance over mere qualifications. He highlighted Nigeria’s leading role in African pilgrimages to Israel and mentioned ongoing collaboration efforts with other African nations.
Beyond pilgrimage operations, Adegbite outlined future goals, including the completion of the commission’s heritage building project and potential property acquisition in the Holy Land. He also highlighted improved staff welfare, noting that all 180 staff members have traveled at least twice since he took office.
Expressing gratitude to President Tinubu and the First Lady, Sen Oluremi Tinubu, Adegbite described the commission’s transformation over the past two years as a shift “from disgrace to grace,” declaring pilgrimage a divine assignment and national blessing.