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CAN Chairman Calls For Probe Of Christian Pilgrims Commission By EFCC, ICPC

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The Chairman of the Adamawa State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Dami Mamza, has called for a probe of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) over the alleged mishandling of pilgrimages.

According to him, he wants the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of the Executive Secretary of the NCPC, Rev Yakubu Pam and also sanitise the commission.

Mamza, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Yola alleged that disservice of the NCPC to Christian pilgrims is an embarrassment to Christianity, adding that what prompted him to speak out was the improper planning of some recent pilgrimage.

Naija News understands that the Adamawa CAN chairman cited how two recent pilgrimages to Rome last six months and another one last month were handled most improperly by the NCPC.

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Mamza, who made this call at a press briefing on Thursday at the Catholic Secretariat in Yola alleged that there was no proper pre-visit by the NCPC to Rome before the arrival of pilgrims there.

He observed that he decided to keep silent about the issue with the hope the commission would improve, but again the alleged improper handling of the pilgrimage occurred and was even worse than the one of six months ago.

The CAN chair said this time the executive secretary himself handled the trip and it was nothing to write about.

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He submitted that “I want to make a statement regarding the pilgrimage we had about six months ago. Adamawa government made adequate provisions for Christian pilgrims to go to Rome.

“Our experience was awful but I didn’t say anything when we returned because I wanted to reflect on things. But since then, for the past six months, my conscience has been bothering me regarding the activities at the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission under the leadership of Rev Yakubu Pam.

“The pilgrimage of Adamawa Christians to Rome if not because I was on the team and as the team leader, Adamawa pilgrims would have been stranded in Rome. The government of Adamawa gave adequate resources but the arrangement by the Nigerian Pilgrims Commission was nought. Nothing was done.

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”The pilgrims arrived in Rome but some of us had no room to stay. No buses were provided to move around.

“Some spent one night and had to return the next day because no accommodation was provided. There was no feeding arrangement. I had to go to my account in the Vatican Bank to withdraw money and make arrangements for some pilgrims. The national pilgrim’s body collected the money (paid for the stay of pilgrims) and didn’t make arrangements.

“The pilgrims who were supposed to spend a minimum of one week spent a maximum of five days, and it was my resources that I spent to extend people’s stay there so that they could have the feeling of Rome.

“So, the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission is in a mess. I call on the Federal Government to let the activities of Rev Yakubu Pam at the NCPC be investigated. The place should be sanitised.”