Buhari receives plaudits over religious tolerance efforts by NCPC

President Muhammadu Buhari has been commended over the activities of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, especially as it concerns religious tolerance in the nation.

The Middle Belt Good Governance Project praised the president in a letter dated August 28th and co-signed by its President, Comrade Samuel Ojunugwa and Chairman Board of Trustees, Dr Audu Ibrahim.

According to the group, the appointment of Rev Yakubu Pam as the Executive Secretary of the NCPC “remains one of the best decisions undertaken by this administration to put a round peg in a round hole”.

The Middle Belt Good Governance Project said the commission, under Pam, has witnessed tremendous progress in fulfilling its mandate of providing excellent services and administration to Nigerian Christians who pilgrimage to Holy sites around the world.

It also described the respected cleric as a role model to millions of Christians and Muslims across the country, spreading the language of peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding in the country.

“This letter is to use this medium to extend our commendation for your foresight in the appointment of Rev Yakubu Pam as the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission. Undoubtedly, it remains one of the best decisions undertaken by your administration to put a round peg in a round hole,” it said in part.

“Mr President, one of the high points of the leadership of Rev Yakubu Pam at the NCPC is the entrenchment of transparency and accountability in the operations of the organization by eliminating bottlenecks and other hindrances that hitherto prevented the NCPC from achieving its strategic objectives and commitment to the Nigerian people.

“Today, the impact of the NCPC on the socio-economic well-being of the country cannot be overemphasized, which is reflective of the leadership strides and initiatives introduced by Rev Yakubu Pam since he assumed leadership of the organization.

“Mr President, it is worthy of mentioning that Rev Yakubu Pam is an excellent ambassador of your administration and this has been evident in his disposition to work and the attendant results witnessed in the administration of Christian pilgrimage in Nigeria.

“It is our considered opinion that Nigeria needs worthy leaders in the mould of Rev Yakubu Pam, burning with passion for effecting positive change in the country. Every leader in Nigeria must, as a matter of urgency, embrace patriotism if we are desirous of having the Nigeria of our dreams.

“There is no doubt that there are always vested interests or parties that would go all out to malign the characters of leaders who have distinguished themselves in service to the country because it is no longer business

“We have come to the firm conclusion that the appointment of Rev Yakubu Pam to the NCPC has indeed changed the face of the organization as he has been able to create an atmosphere of love and tolerance and staffers of the NCPC are now ambassadors of peace and unity.

“Mr President, there is a need to demand acts of patriotism from public office holders in the country, especially in the light that your administration is in its final lap. This is necessary for your administration to finish its race with tangible results that Nigerians would be proud of.

“The leadership of the Middle Belt Congress appreciates Mr President once again because Rev Yakubu Pam, as a worthy ambassador of this administration, has lived up to expectations in upholding the cardinal thrust of this administration in its commitment to fulfilling the social contract due to Nigerians in critical sectors of the economy”.

The Middle Belt group, however, reiterated its support and endorsement of the president’s policies and programmes, as well as the quality of appointments of the likes of Rev Yakubu Pam as the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission.