The Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam has admonished Nigerians to embrace the new year with excitement, describing 2023 as a special year for the country.
The NCPC boss disclosed this in his new year message made available to Sunday Independent.
He affirmed that the new year would be special not because it is an election year, but it is a year of God’s divine mercy and upliftment for Nigeria.
He urged Nigerians to be hopeful, trust in the Lord for his promises on Nigeria must surely come to pass, while tasking them to rise up and engage in productive activities to realise full measure of God’s blessings for the year.
He tasked Nigerians to participate in the electioneering process and ensure they cast their votes in the forthcoming general election.
He also admonished the electoral umpire to do everything humanly possible to achieve a credible, free and fair election at all levels.
Rev Pam called on church leaders and Imams to preach the message of peace to their followers and enjoin them not to be used as anti state operators particularly during the forthcoming general elections.
He congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari for his selfless service to Nigeria, saying the President would be remembered for in sundry areas especially his commitment to conduct a free and fair general elections in February, this year .
The NCPC Boss affirmed that the year 2022 was very challenging for Nigeria and globally but the year 2023 will usher in a new vista of hope and relief.
According to Rev Pam, “in the new year if we look up to God, trust in him, he will surely grant us divine directions to follow as a people and as a nation”, he said.
UHe assured that Nigeria would be able to make positive in roads in the new year.
The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC has commenced the screening of intending pilgrims from Delta State for the December 2022 Pilgrimage exercise to Israel and Jordan at the Secretariat of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) in Asaba ,Delta state Capital.
Speaking during the devotion prayers for the intending Pilgrims screening exercise, the state Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Delta state, Hon John bull Edema whose Ministries supervises the activities of the State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, commended members of the State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board for their commitment and hardwork.
He thanked the Executive Governor of Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for sponsoring christians in the state on Pilgrimage to the Holy land twice this year.
According to him,” today we are going to start another stage of our screening for intending pilgrims of Delta State”.
He’s urged them to ensure they provide their correct information and should not be economical with the truth.
Hon Edema stated that,” the previous Pilgrimage was adjudged wonderful, therefore you should do better than the former one”.
He admonished them to shun abscondment and maintain the zero abscondment status that the state has attained.
In his exortation, the Chairman, Delta State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Most Rev.Cyril Odutemu urged the intending pilgrims to be good Ambassadors of Christ and Nigeria in the Holy Land.
He added,” as Ambassadors of our country what testimonies will follow us, it will be so disgraceful if you bring shame to this state”, he said.
The Cleric affirmed that it would be an aberration for intending pilgrims to go to the Holy land without interceding for Nigeria and Delta state.
In the words of Most Rev Odutemu”, Nigeria needs prayers now, we need to pray to God in Israel to give us good leaders for this nation in the next dispensation “.
He further reaffirmed that Delta State Governor needs our prayer for sponsoring this number of intending pilgrims to the Holy land at a time like this.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN Delta State, Snr.Apostle Sylvanus Okorote advised the intending pilgrims to see their going to the Holy land as a spiritual retreat, not tourism and should have their mind on the Pilgrimage exercise.
He urged them to ensure they remember in their prayers the man whom God has used to make it possible for them to embark on the spiritual journey.
Speaking, the Executive Secretary, Delta State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Apostle Samuel Okoh, advised the intending pilgrims to cooperate with the NCPC screening team by providing vital documents that would facilitate the screening process.
He disclosed that about 368 intending pilgrims were being sponsored by the Delta state Government to participate in the ongoing NCPC December 2022 Pilgrimage exercise.
The NCPC Screening team was led by the Deputy Director and Head Special Duties, Pastor Raphael Oyinloye.
It is expected that the intending pilgrims of Delta State particularly those who would scale through the screening exercise would be traveling by middle if next month.
The screening of the intending pilgrims will last for two days.
When my team and I started IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technology on the Plateau (we actually pioneered it), little did I know personally that the singular goal of helping couples with conception will translate into a life of impacting lives and communities.
Through the years, I have personally experienced what it means to be truly fulfilled which in essence is putting smiles on the faces of people in any way you can. The visible joy on the faces of all that I have had the opportunity to render assistance to through my expertise defines fulfilment for me.
The results and satisfaction from clients afterwards, bear the tale themselves, and I remain ever humbled by the recognition there attract. From being recognised as the best Gynaecologist and Obstetrician on the Plateau, to the recognition of ALPS Hospitals & Diagnostics As the best Fertility centre in Northern Nigeria, I have had every course to be grateful and humbled over the years.
And to close the year, here’s another recognition as one among the 100 Change Makers on the Plateau!
I want to here express my profound gratitude to the Change Makers Initiative for this recognition. This is yet again a humbling reality for me. Thank you.
While it seems it is Dr. Ken on the spotlight, I want to say that alone, all these wouldn’t have been possible. A big shout out to my family, and the great team at Alps Hospitals and Diagnostics. It is yet again our recognition. It is a call to do more.
And to everyone out there, thank you very much.
Yours truly, Dr. Kenneth Egwuda Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician IVF Specialist.
Exodus 11: 8. And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger. 9. And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt. 10. And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.
PRAISE AND WORSHIP
PRAYER POINTS
O Lord, if I am my own worst enemy, arise and deliver me today, in the name of Jesus
O Lord, let your mercy speak for me, in the name of Jesus.
Blood of Jesus, close every evil doors open against my life, in the name of Jesus
Every stubborn pursuer of my father’s house, release me and die by fire, in the name of Jesus.
Every stubborn pursuer of my mother’s house, release me and die by fire, in the name of Jesus.
Every power assigned to bring me down, turn back and die, in the name of Jesus.
Every warfare prepared for my life, scatter by the blood of Jesus, in the name of Jesus.
Arise O God, pursue my pursuers, in the name of Jesus.
O God arise and let all my internal pursuers scatter unto desolation, in the name of Jesus.
O God, arise and scatter enemies that have refuses to let me go, in the name of Jesus.
Every pharaoh working against my breakthroughs, fall down and die, in the name of Jesus.
Let the earth open up and swallow every stubborn pursuer of my life and destiny, in the name of Jesus
Within seven days, let all my stubborn pursuers be burnt and buried, in the name of Jesus.
O God arise, smite my stubborn enemies on their cheekbone and break their teeth, in the name of Jesus.
Every evil conclusion and expectation about my life, be reversed by the blood of Jesus, in the name of Jesus.
Holy Ghost, break every evil leg working about for my sake, in the name of Jesus.
Satanic competitors assigned against my marriage, career, business, and ministry, die by fire, in the name of Jesus.
O God arise and deal with any power, personality or spirit that is circulating my name for evil, in the name of Jesus.
Every spirit of fruitlessness in my life, be paralyzed now, in the name of Jesus.
I smash every giant of almost there assigned against my life to piece, in the name of Jesus
Every progress arrester assigned against me, be exposed and be disgraced, in the name of Jesus.
Powers that are blocking my way, preventing me from moving forward in life, die, in the name of Jesus
Powers that are standing between me and my breakthroughs, be wasted, in the name of Jesus
Powers that are pursuing me in my dreams, fall down and die, in the name of Jesus
Power’s on assignment to stop me, die, in the name of Jesus
Power’s on assignment to waste my glorious destiny, die, in the name of Jesus
Power’s programming evil appointments for me, die, in the name of Jesus
You my pharaoh, wherever you are; whoever you are, your time is up, fall down and die, in the name of Jesus.
Every power that wants me dead, die in my place after the order of Hamman, in the name of Jesus.
Blood of Jesus work for me and deliver me from every avenger, in the name of Jesus.
Every stubborn pursuer pursuing my life, turn back and die, in the name of Jesus.
When my team and I started IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technology on the Plateau (we actually pioneered it), little did I know personally that the singular goal of helping couples with conception will translate into a life of impacting lives and communities.
Through the years, I have personally experienced what it means to be truly fulfilled which in essence is putting smiles on the faces of people in any way you can. The visible joy on the faces of all that I have had the opportunity to render assistance to through my expertise defines fulfilment for me.
The results and satisfaction from clients afterwards, bear the tale themselves, and I remain ever humbled by the recognition there attract. From being recognised as the best Gynaecologist and Obstetrician on the Plateau, to the recognition of ALPS Hospitals & Diagnostics As the best Fertility centre in Northern Nigeria, I have had every course to be grateful and humbled over the years.
And to close the year, here’s another recognition as one among the 100 Change Makers on the Plateau!
I want to here express my profound gratitude to the Change Makers Initiative for this recognition. This is yet again a humbling reality for me. Thank you.
While it seems it is Dr. Ken on the spotlight, I want to say that alone, all these wouldn’t have been possible. A big shout out to my family, and the great team at Alps Hospitals and Diagnostics. It is yet again our recognition. It is a call to do more.
And to everyone out there, thank you very much.
Yours truly, Dr. Kenneth Egwuda Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician IVF Specialist
The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC has airlifted 280 intending Christian Pilgrims fromTaraba and Gombe states to Holyland of Israel and Jordan from the Yola International Airport .
The Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission ,Rev Dr Yakubu Pam who was at the Airport to address the intending pilgrims was highly delighted by the landmark airlift of intending pilgrims from Yola International Airport , being the first time ever that intending pilgrims would be airlifted directly to the Holy Land since his assumption of office in 2020.
He thanked the Executive Governor of Taraba State, Arch. Darius Ishaiku for sponsoring such number of christians to the Holy land despite all odds.
Pam described Governor Ishaiku as a Pilgrimage friendly Governor who has eloquent testimonies of the benefits of christian Pilgrimage in his life .
He equally applauded the Executive Governor of Gombe state, Alhaji Inuwa Abubarkar for supporting the christians in the state to embark on Holy Pilgrimage at a time like this.
Pam explained that though the Governor of Gombe is a moslem , he saw the need to sponsor christians on Pilgrimage so that they could go to the Holy land to pray.
He admonished the intending pilgrims to be good Ambassadors of Nigeria while in the Holy land.
According to him,” we are concern with the image of Nigeria during Pilgrimage and as such you should conduct yourself decently while on Pilgrimage.”
He added that outside the country,the image of Nigeria is what matters and not the image of any pilgrim or state.
He cautioned them to shun abscondment as the Commission had put every mechanism in place to make abscondment impossible.
Rev Pam further told the intending pilgrims that he was proud of them for being part of the 2022 December pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan and for having faith in Nigeria.
He also hinted that the intending pilgrims would arrive Jordan first where they would commence their Pilgrimage exercise, afterwards they would proceed to Israel to continue their visit to the Holy Sites there.
In his welcome address, the Chairman Adamawa State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Bishop Peter Bartimaios thanked the Executive Secretary , Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam for the choice of Yola International Airport for the airlift of the intending pilgrims of Taraba and Gombe state .
He lauded the NCPC boss for his proactive leadership.
He advised the intending pilgrims to make judicious use of this opportunity to pray for themselves and Nigeria in the Holy land.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Conference of states who also doubles as the Chairman Taraba State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Rev Isaiah Magaji congratulated the Taraba intending pilgrims for the opportunity provided by the Executive Governor of Taraba State for them to go on holy Pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan.
He commended the NCPC boss for his visionary leadership in sustaining Christian Pilgrimage in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Federal Commissioner representing the North East on the Board of NCPC , Rev Dr Musa Gelengu thanked the Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam for his dynamic leadership and courage.
He advised the intending pilgrims to be spiritually alert in the Holy land and come back spiritually and morally transformed
. The airlift of intending pilgrims of Taraba and Gombe state was the second batch of airlift to be conducted by NCPC in the on going 2022 December pilgrimage exercise to Israel and Jordan.
The first batch departed for the Holy land on 16th December, 2022 from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu , and returned on 24th December without any single case of abscondment.
The intending pilgrims of Taraba and Gombe states departed the Yola International Airport at exactly 02:03am on 27th December, 2022 to Amman, the Kingdom of Jordan.
The Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam has congratulated the Enugu contingent to the Holy land of Israel and Jordan for a successful Pilgrimage Exercise.
Rev Pam disclosed this on 25th December, 2022, today following the return of all the Enugu pilgrims on 24th December, 2022 at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
The NCPC Pilgrims Aircraft Which conveyed the 300 pilgrims touched down at the Airport from the Holy land at about 9:30 pm local time .
The NCPC boss was particularly enthused with the smooth conduct of the Pilgrimage exercise being the first batch to be airlifted to the Holy land in the ongoing December 2022 Pilgrimage exercise.
According to him,’ the Enugu pilgrims had demonstrated good conduct in the Holy land and should be commended for arriving safely and complete”, he said.
He further stated that the fact that no single pilgrim absconded in the Holy land means that the Commission,s target to achieve zero abscondment of pilgrims while in the Holy land is yielding the right dividend.
He lauded the efforts of the Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Barr Nestor Ezeme as well as the staff of the NCPC who provided logistics support for the pilgrims in the Holy land.
Rev Pam was very optimistic that the subsequent batches of intending pilgrims would emulate the good example laid by the Enugu pilgrims.
Pam equally applauded the efforts of the ground handlers and air carrier for providing excellent service to the pilgrims in the Holy land.
Rev Pam affirmed that the Commission will continue to make Pilgrimage more spiritual centered participatory in the coming year.
He averred that the welfare of the pilgrims is paramount and can never be compromised.
It would be recalled that the Commission flagged off the December 2022 Pilgrimage exercise to Israel and Jordan on 16th December 2022 in Enugu which was graced by the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who charged the state Pilgrims to be good Ambassadors of the state and Nigeria while in Holyland.
President and founder of Evangelical Bible Out Reach International (EBOMI) Prophet Isa El-Buba has challenged Christians to see Christmas time as a time they need to pray more for one another and share love to one another.
Prophet El-Buba in his Christmas message which he issued to newsmen in Jos and a copy made available to Sunday Independent said Jesus Christ came for all and that God loved the world and gave His begotten son so that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.
According him, Nigerians have gone through alot of hardship and pains in recent years and needs to encourage and strengthens one another.
He added that the economy is telling on Nigerians purchasing powers at this Christmas and advised Christians to share with one another the little they can afford at a time like this.
He advised that people should not take suicide option because of matterial things they don’t have today, saying the greatest thing God has given to Man is the gift of life .
According to him, ” Don’t do what is beyond you because Jesus Christ our master we are celebrating today was even born in a manger. Mary gave birth to Jesus in a lonely place”
He advised Nigerians to be contented with what they have and not go borrowing to meet up with the expectations of people in the society.
El-Buba called on Nigerians to use this season to plan for what they expect to happen in the new year as they look forward for brighter and Better Nigeria.
The All Progressives Congress governorship Candidate Dr Nentawe Yilwatda has urged Christians to fervently pray for a peaceful and united plateau state as they Celebrate this year Christmas.
In a statement issued by Spokesman for Generation Next Campaign Council Shittu Bamaiyi and made available to Sunday Independent ,quotes Dr Nentawe as saying that all Nigerians owe it a responsibility to particularly during religious festivities ask God to take control of their personal affairs and that of the country at this trying moment.
According to him the country is faced with some existential challenges which can only be surmounted when the people seek the face of God.
Nentawe stated that it therefore behoves on the Christians to use the Christmas period to pray to God to guide and redirect the leaderships of the country at all levels in providing solutions to the nation’s challenges.
According to him, though the Almighty has been gracious and merciful to the country it is incumbent on the people to thank Him for his faithfulness by showing love, compassion and empathy to one another irrespective creed or religion.
Nentawe restated that his desire to govern plateau is basically to solve the perennial insecurity, poverty and disunity in the state adding that with God as his source of strength and inspiration he has all it takes to tackle those challenges frontally.
While wishing the Christians a merry and hitch free celebrations, Nentawe enjoined them to use the period to pray for the peaceful conduct of the elections next year.
The National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP)has dissolved the National Executive Council (EXCO) with effect from 21st December 2022 and inaugurated the Electoral Committee (ELCOM) to conduct the election on January 28th, 2023 at a venue to be communicated by the ELCOM
. This was disclosed at a world press conference by Dr. Shehu Adam, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP) held on Thursday, 22nd December 2023 at its official guest house, Tafawa Balewa Street, Jos.
Quoting the NANTMP Electoral Act in Article 7, the Board of Trustee Chairman, Dr. Shehu Adamu hinted that “today 22nd Day of December 2022, we stand to announce the resolution of the BOT, based on the Electoral Act of the Association in Article 7 to organize the election of the new EXCO of the association, after the expiration of the tenure of Dr. Shaba Maikudi administration of three years from October 7th, 2019 – October 7th, 2022”.
According to him, “as you are all aware, the constitution of NANTMP doesn’t have any tenure extension, so to that effect, the BOT has inaugurated the electoral committee (ELCOM) for the 2023 election so as to elect the new EXCO of the Association under the leadership of Dr. John Buba as Chairman; Barr. Yusuf Sharafat as Secretary; and 5 other members, which will take place on 28th January 2023.
The world press conference text also posited that “we further want to enjoin all practitioners interested in contesting for any post or position of their choice to contact the Chairman or Secretary of the Board for the forms”.
All the positions to be contested as enshrined in the constitution of the association are as follows: 1. President 2. Deputy President 3. Vice President from the 6 geo-political zones of Nigeria 4. Secretary General 5. Assistant Secretary General 6. Treasurer 7. Financial Secretary 8. Publicity Secretary 9. Welfare Secretary 10. Internal Auditor 11. National woman leader from the 6 geo-political zones of Nigeria 12. Legal Adviser 13. Ex-officioThe text called on all interested contestants to contact the BOT Chairman on 0805301330, 08102300440 or the BOT Secretary on 08068571311, 07084263741.
Oracle Reporters 