NCPC Boss Urges Intending Christian Pilgrims to Pray for President, Vice President, and First Lady

By Ugbede James Ankpa

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite, has called on intending Christian pilgrims from Imo and Adamawa States traveling to Israel and Jordan to remember President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in their prayers while in the Holy Land.

This was contained in a statement issued by Celestine Toruka, Deputy Director and Head of Media and Public Relations of the Commission.

Speaking on September 26, 2025, at the Pilgrims Terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Bishop Adegbite noted that President Tinubu is committed to ensuring the well-being of Nigerians and is working tirelessly to fix the country. He stressed that in line with the President’s vision, the Commission would continue to uphold its corporate slogan of Service and Satisfaction by guaranteeing the welfare of pilgrims.

He further highlighted President Tinubu’s strong support for both Christian and Muslim pilgrimages in Nigeria. Adegbite also encouraged the pilgrims to pray for the nation as it celebrates its 65th independence anniversary, and for the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who recently marked her 65th birthday on September 21. He described the coincidence of her age with Nigeria’s as providential.

The NCPC boss urged the pilgrims to intercede for peace in Israel, the Middle East, Nigeria, and troubled families worldwide, emphasizing that Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, is able to grant peace to every nation. He also encouraged them to pray for their governors and for themselves while on the pilgrimage.

Adegbite warned against any act of abscondment during the pilgrimage, describing it as a disgrace to families, states, and the nation. He assured that the Commission had put mechanisms in place to maintain its zero-abscondment target.

Meanwhile, the third batch of intending Christian pilgrims arrived safely at the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan, at 1:15 a.m. local time on September 27, 2025. They are scheduled to begin their 10-day pilgrimage program in Jordan and Israel. This marks the third group to be airlifted since the commencement of the NCPC’s delayed 2025 Easter pilgrimage exercise on September 15, 2025.