President Muhammadu Buhari has approved N160 to $1 exchange rate for the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission’s (NCPC) operations.
The commission’s Executive Secretary, John Keneddy-Opara, told State House correspondents after briefing Buhari on the commission’s activities at the State House, Abuja.
He said: “As you are aware, he has approved $1 to N160 for the conventional exchange rate for this pilgrimage operation and he also agreed that he will continue to encourage us, particularly as we drive to ensure self-sustenance, to make sure that the pilgrims are able to pay for the pilgrimages by removing government sponsorship.
“This is a journey and we are sure that we are going to succeed. So, he was very happy with the entire process. We are praying that God will help us to be a source of strength to Mr. President, so that the Federal Government and states will spend the necessary resources on other things while the pilgrimage is self-funding as time goes on.
“We are already running four pilgrimages in one year. The first is the Easter pilgrimage, which has passed, the Youth Pilgrimage which we termed operation catch them young, the family pilgrimage and the overall pilgrimage. For those going to Israel for the 11 days trip, it is N379,840 and for the youth pilgrimage, it is going to cost N357,000.”
Nigerians on pilgrimage, he noted, can now undergo skill acquisition programme organised by the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission and Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture, towards training them in the area of agriculture.
He added: “We are introducing the pilgrimage pilot lottery scheme that will enable people who are lucky to be able to go on this trip without much dependence on the state and the Federal Government.”
He said he was in the State House to brief the President on the activities of the commission.
“I came to brief the President on the activities of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission. Earlier, my colleague, the Chairman of Hajj Commission had come to brief him.
“I had to tell him where we are and how we started the commission and where we are today and our prayers. I want to say that the President was very happy with the commission and he said the commission has done very well.”
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I have been reporting on latest news from Nigeria for almost 10 years now. I report on every possible news area I come across, but always ensure my reports are compiled with dignity and fact to uphold my personal values and duty as a journalist
Posted: at 7-08-2016 12:58 PM (8 years ago) | Addicted Hero
why is it that is only the poor that suffer in nigeria? okay what of other people going to other part of the world? i really don't get it, if you can bring it down bring it down for all and stand our economy so that nigeria can be great again
Posted: at 7-08-2016 01:04 PM (8 years ago) | Gistmaniac
nametalkam at 7-08-2016 04:50 PM (8 years ago) (m)
Quote from: Slimchery on 7-08-2016 01:04 PM
why is it that is only the poor that suffer in nigeria? okay what of other people going to other part of the world? i really don't get it, if you can bring it down bring it down for all and stand our economy so that nigeria can be great again
Not just Nigeria, anyone that is poor will suffer in tbis current life that we are in, so the only way to avoid poverty is just to work hard and make some money though,. Then become evil
I specialize in investigative reportage across several subject matter and sectors but mainly focus on metro events and investigation. Do leave your thoughts and opinion on my reports to let me know what you think about them. Thank you
Posted: at 7-08-2016 04:50 PM (8 years ago) | Addicted Hero
WHETHER HE DOES IT RIGHT OR WRONG, SOME IDIOT'S WILL STILL BLAME BUHARI FOR THIS, IT'S A MUST...SMH...Y'ALL BETTER BE CAREFULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL..................
Posted: at 7-08-2016 08:54 PM (8 years ago) | Hero
Pls someone shld educate me on dis. 
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