By Dansu Peter
The 22 CSos, which made this known at a world press conference in Abuja today, said Rev Pam has instilled transparency, accountability and probity in the Commission.
The groups, under the aegis of the Coalition of Civil Society for Transparency and Good Governance, while appraising Pam's two years as Executive Secretary, said the revered cleric has repositioned the Christian body with purposeful leadership.
Reeling out some of Pam's achievements, Princess Ajibola said he has expanded the frontiers of Nigeria Christians' pilgrimage to other Holy Lands, including Jordan, Rome, Italy and Greece with no pilgrim absconding.
She said Pam has also proven to be a worthy ambassador and advocate of peace who has laid a road map for integration in the country irrespective of religious or cultural affiliations through his advocacy for peaceful co-existence, unity and national integration.
"For only two years in office, Rev Yakubu Pam has demonstrated purposeful leadership and transformed the Nigeria Christian Pilgrimage Commission (NCPC) into a very vibrant commission. Before he was appointed the Executive Secretary, the pilgrimage of the commission was limited to the holy sites of Israel, which suffered a setback in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic following restrictions on international travel, including a pilgrimage to Israel. In his capacity and competence, Rev. Yakubu has expanded the frontiers of Nigeria Christians' pilgrimage to other Holy Lands, including Jordan, Rome, Italy and Greece. During the pandemic and for the first time in the commission's history, Rev Yakubu Pam was able to airlift Nigerian pilgrims to Jordan, recording zero abscondment," Ajibola said.
"He has also proven to be a worthy ambassador and advocate of peace. He has vigorously laid a road map for integration in the country irrespective of religious or cultural affiliations through his advocacy for peaceful co-existence, unity and national integration.
"Under Rev. Yakubu Pam, the NCPC has lived up to its mandate. He has successfully organized, coordinated and superintended the commission's affairs to holy lands across the globe. Aside from the already established pilgrim sites, Rev Yakubu Pam is working towards further expanding the pilgrim sites of Nigerian pilgrims to Turkey and other countries with religious histories and records.
"Rev. Yakubu Pam has shown transparency and accountability in discharging his duties. This is evident in the way and manner in which he handles not only official duties but also the operations of the commission with every sense of patriotism and dedication.
"In recognition of his achievements as the Executive Secretary of the NCPC, Rev Pam has received several awards. Among many, for example, he was singled out and found worthy of an award by the 'Making Life Better Care Foundation for Better Tomorrow with an 'Award of Excellence in recognition of his contribution to advancing the course for peace, communal living and in bettering the life of the needy and vulnerable.
"Rev Yakubu Pam was also honoured as the most effective, proactive and resourceful Executive Secretary across the country by the 'Nigerian House of Dream Parliament. The Inter-Faith Group also honoured him for ensuring a purposeful and focused Pilgrim Commission that is accountable and transparent.
"Rev. Yakubu Pam has touched lives through peacekeeping and has used his office to better the lives of many Nigerians. As a preacher of the gospel, the Executive Secretary has continuously called on Nigerians to eschew violence and live in peace and harmony irrespective of religion and cultural differences. As a firm believer in a working, peaceful, and secured Nigeria, Rev. Pam keeps calling on Nigerians to be united in purpose. He is, indeed, a worthy ambassador of peace and should be highly commended for his efforts in ensuring peace return to crisis ridden areas across the country."
The 22 CSOs, however, called for improved and early release of the funds to enable the commission to effectively coordinate, plan and carry out its activities and function in time.
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