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Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev. Yakubu Pam
By Anthony Maliki
When the sabbath came he began teaching in the synagogue, and most of those who heard him were astonished. They commented “How did this come to him? What kind of wisdom has been given to him that he also performs such miracles? Who is he but the carpenter, the son of Mary…?” – Mark 6: vs 2
Today marks the one-year anniversary of the assumption of duty of Rev. (Dr.) Yakubu Pam as the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC). Though his appointment took effect on June 26, 2020, he formally assumed work on July 7, 2020. One year has gone so fast but not without great things in its path.
Without praise-singing, even the not too keen observer clearly knows the Plateau-born Nigeria’s Number One Pilgrim Officer has achieved a lot within twelve months.
Shortly in office, he came up with a six-point agenda and core values which he had followed and abided with diligently. The agenda are to fight corruption and eradicate it, improve and lift the image of the commission, embark on reorientation of the mindset, embark on relationship building, seek effective collaboration with the Church and create a peace desk in NCPC. The core values are commitment to Christ, trust and trust, love and team work, service and sacrifice, uprightness and integrity and excellence and diplomatic conduct. Others are nationalism and Nigeria, peace-building and national development and leadership and development.
Majorly, Rev. Pam, the priest that he is, has preached peaceful coexistence among the diverse sections of the country. In September, 2020, Rev. Pam took upon himself as mediator in the southern Kaduna crisis visiting both the Christian and Muslim areas making them to understand the need for peace to reign. Not stopping at that, he equally donated relief materials to both sides and went ahead along other inter-faith to organize a peace summit in Kafachan with about 200 key participants and stakeholders. The summit came up with far-reaching decisions and resolutions for the benefit of all.
Moving forward, Rev. Pam who is also the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the northern states and FCT, took his peace mission to the Taraba State Governor, Architect Darius Ishaku in Jalingo. He spoke of the need for the governor and his Benue State counterpart, Dr. Samuel Ortom to meet to resolve the lingering crisis between the Jukun and the Tiv.
In fact, he has taken the commission to a higher level within a short time and not looking back. He has preached and continue to preach for peaceful coexistence among various other issues within the polity forming a unique brotherhood.
Apart from that, Rev. Pam has taken to “Religious Diplomacy” touring virtually all the states in Nigeria meeting stakeholders and preaching the gospel. Such meetings also entailed with the hierarchy of Christian welfare boards and critical stakeholders on the way forward for better pilgrimage operations among other issues.
Although most plans for the Christian pilgrimage to Israel and other religious destinations have been concluded, the coronavirus pandemic has scuttled its commencement. Besides, in-between, Rev. Pam has visited Jordan which a Christian area with strong Biblical history but was never considered worthy of visit. It is on record that Rev. Pam strenuously gotten approval for the first time for Christian pilgrims to visit Jordan. In fact, this is important as it is on record that the part of River Jordan where Jesus Christ was baptised is in Jordan part.
One year has gone and more to come. Rev. Pam cannot do it alone. The management should give him the support truly deserved. But most of all, he needs our prayers to further take NCPC to greater heights and the Promised Land.
