Bishop Stephen Adegbite, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), has revealed that he inherited a deeply disorganized institution upon assuming office. Speaking at an interactive session in Abuja to mark his first anniversary, Adegbite described the situation he met as “terrible.”
“When I took over from my predecessor, I knew the situation would be challenging. That’s why I initially preferred to be the board chairman rather than the executive secretary. But when I arrived, I saw the mess—we were in a state of melancholy. The commission was entangled in legal battles with service providers, air carriers, ground handlers, and private operators,” he said.
He disclosed that funds had been collected for pilgrimages in the past without pilgrims being transported, and the missing money totaling ₦3.8 billion was nowhere to be found in the NCPC’s accounts. To address the issues, Adegbite said his administration prioritized prompt payments to service providers, ensuring that up to 80% of their fees were settled in advance.
“Once we pay them, they have no reason to disappoint us during pilgrimage operations,” he explained.
He emphasized that the commission had undergone major restructuring to place competent personnel in key roles.
“We made critical changes, ensuring that round pegs were placed in round holes. Moving forward, staff must be dedicated and knowledgeable in their duties,” he said.
Drawing on his 30 years of pilgrimage experience, Adegbite affirmed that the commission had now stabilized. The longstanding issue of unpaid service providers has been resolved, restoring confidence in NCPC’s operations.
“Previously, payments were a major issue, and service providers worked on credit. Today, they commend us instead of condemning us. The Israeli government also has renewed trust in us,” he added.
On staff welfare, he noted that morale had improved significantly, with all staff participating in pilgrimage operations and receiving their allowances.
“We have ensured that 187 staff members are going on pilgrimage this year and will receive their estacode. We have also strengthened collaboration with the media to positively project our activities,” he said.
Adegbite assured that this year’s pilgrimage would be a major milestone for the commission, with even greater improvements planned for the future. On the issue of absconding pilgrims, he revealed that three cases had been recorded since he took office in 2024, and efforts were underway to repatriate those involved.
“One pilgrim sought asylum in Israel but was quickly returned to Nigeria. The remaining two will also be sent back, as Israeli law allows a temporary stay of three to six months before they are deported,” he explained.
He urged Nigerian pilgrims to conduct themselves responsibly while in the Holy Land and to resist the temptation to abscond, reminding them that such actions tarnish the country’s image. Adegbite officially took over from Rev. Yakubu Pam on February 5, 2024.
