As FCT Pilgrims Board blocks abscondment in Israel
By Abdul Jelil Adebayo
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board has been emphasising that it has no room for abscondment in the Holy Land of Israel just as it has admitted that the rate has reduced drastically.
The board said that it can now boast of having put paid to those eloping at the Holy Land.
Before now it was a yearly occurrence and headaches for pilgrims boards to ensure that pilgrims don’t abscond when they go for pilgrimage.
But for now prospective pilgrims are happy with the arrangements being put in place not only in terms of welfare and cares but also in its efforts to curb the japa syndrome among those from FCT enroute Israel.
The Director of the Board (FCT-CPWB), Ms. Gloria Dandam, is working assiduously to ensure zero level abscondment in the Holy Land with a pledge to provide a significant improvement of pilgrims’ welfare.
She came with a vision to transform the board to be first among equals in the country while charging the staff to embrace team work in order to ease transformation processes in the board.
She said she has a commitment to elevate the board’s mission, focusing on creating a nurturing environment for pilgrims and staff of the board.
According to her, emphasis on her vision for the board is to recognise the importance of welfare as the cornerstone of her leadership, which is in consonance with the mission and vision of the board.
“The welfare of the pilgrims is paramount as long as I remain in this position of the director in the board. The vision and mission of the board must be fulfilled,” she said.
She pledged that under her stewardship, the board will implement and improve welfare packages for pilgrims; ensuring that their spiritual journeys are marked by comfort and support.
In underscoring her dedication to ensuring that every pilgrim’s journey is both fulfilling and secure, the director pledged to improve working conditions for staff, recognising their vital role in facilitating a successful pilgrimage experience.
Dandam reiterated the significance of team-work, stating that, no body has a monopoly of ideas, thus, she or any other staff cannot achieve what has been said to be done without embracing team-work.
She said that her leadership philosophy centers on collaboration, sharing of ideas and brainstorming, which could bring about better achievement of results.
Ms Dandam also highlighted efforts of the board to ensure that the number of those jumping ship is drastically reduced.
She used the opportunity to express her heartfelt gratitude to the Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, for supporting her in her drive to provide a seamless pilgrimage henceforth.
She said the cooperation she gets from FCTA has been a source of encouragement to change the paradigm for a better oilgrim administration.
She therefore warned those who may want to use FCT Pilgrim Board as an escape route to japa to redirect their plan from Abuja.
She said her management team has also devised means of blocking the loophole used before now.
FCT Christian Welfare Board is ready and will do everything possible to ensure that no more absconding by pilgrims from Abuja.
Before now she alleged that some people from other states used to come to FCT, pay for their tickets and abscond immediately they land in Israel.
“We have put checks in place to identify such people and not allowing them to use FCT as escape route. This must stop and we have stopped it almost totally.”
It is without doubt that the board remains a vital organisation that plays a significant role in the lives of Christian pilgrims in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The essence of its establishment is to provide welfare services to pilgrims, which it has maintained and the board has indeed been instrumental in ensuring that pilgrims have a safe, comfortable, and spiritually enriching experience.
The board is one of the several boards in the country that works in tandem with the federal agency, the Nigerian Christians Pilgrim Commission (NCPC).
It has the responsibility of serving the faithful in the FCT.
In the meantime, the board has several objectives that guide its activities which include but are not limited to providing welfare services.
The board provides a range of welfare services, including accommodation, feeding, and medical care, to pilgrims in the Holy Land.
It also facilitates spiritual growth: The board organises spiritual programmes and activities to facilitate the spiritual growth and development of pilgrims.
It also promotes Christian unity, that is promoting Christian unity and cooperation among pilgrims from different denominations and backgrounds.
Some of its activities include pilgrimage organisation. The board organises pilgrimage to holy sites, both within and outside Nigeria.
As regards the welfare services provision, the board provides welfare services, including accommodation, feeding, and medical care, to pilgrims.
On the spiritual programmes, the board organises spiritual programmes, including prayer sessions, Bible studies, and evangelism, to facilitate the spiritual growth and development of the pilgrims.
The FCT Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board can boast of having a significant impact on the lives of Christian pilgrims in the FCT.
Just as the board’s welfare services have improved the overall well-being of pilgrims and their
spiritual growth, the board’s spiritual programmes have facilitated the spiritual growth and development of pilgrims.
The FCT Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board plays a vital role in serving the needs of Christian pilgrims in the FCT.
Through its welfare services, spiritual programmes, and pilgrimage organisation, the board has improved the overall well-being of pilgrims, facilitated their spiritual growth and development, and promoted Christian unity and cooperation.
Kudos to the new management at the FCT Christian Welfare Board headed by Gloria Dandam.
Abdul is Abuja based journalist and can be reached via abduljelil2001@gmail.com
