Bishop Stephen Adegbite has assumed office as the substantive Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), following his appointment by President Bola Tinubu.
Adegbite’s appointment took effect from January 4, 2024, and it is for a term of five years in the first instance, according to the provisions of the NCPC enabling Act of 2007.
In a letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, President Tinubu appointed Adegbite as Secretary of the Commission for an initial term of five years, according to Section 2 (1) (c) and 4 (1) of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission Act, 2007, with the appointment to take effect from January 4, 2024.
Adegbite, until his appointment, was chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
The new NCPC boss, in his address, explained that the Commission was not redirecting the pilgrimage to Greece and Rome, emphasising the spiritual and symbolic importance of the city of Jerusalem.
“I have told you, there is no redirection. They are going to reopen Jerusalem gates very soon, and it is likely to be tomorrow, from a reliable source. When that is done, the ultimate end of any pilgrimage is Jerusalem.
“Where Jesus walked, where he was born, where he died, where he resurrected, where he ascended; and that is our primary assignment. Any other country we now visit is by the side. So, Jerusalem is a destination and Jerusalem, there will be peace, and we are coming to Jerusalem,” he said.
The NCPC boss also commended his predecessors for the work they did so far, while promising to work with the NCPC Board to improve the pilgrimage exercise.
“It is a new dawn, and you will agree with me that the biggest room in the world is the room for improvement. We appreciate the work of our predecessors, but we are here to contribute our own quota to key into the themed agenda of Mr President, the Renewed Hope.
“This year is our year of Renewed Hope and satisfaction. So, there will be Renewed Hope, a new dawn in the NCPC from today. There will be satisfaction for this organisation and for Nigeria, and it is going to be well with every one of us,” he stated.
