By Ngozi Nwankwo
Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC, Bishop Prof. Stephen Adegbite, has said Nigeria cannot achieve progress without peace.
Adegbite stated this Wednesday at the 2026 NCPC Annual General Staff Retreat held at CSS Global Integrated Farms, Gora, Nasarawa State.
“We want Nigeria to move forward, but without peace, Nigeria cannot move forward,” he said.
The NCPC boss urged Nigerians to pray for peace and tranquillity in the country, adding, “We need peace, and we will never relent until total peace returns to Nigeria.”
He cautioned politicians to play by the rules and ensure that electioneering campaigns are peaceful and free of character assassination.
He expressed optimism that the 2027 general elections would be peaceful, saying any aspirant should “test his or her popularity at the ballot box.”
Adegbite also urged religious leaders to be circumspect in their utterances, noting that they would account for their actions.
He said the retreat was in preparation for the 2026 pilgrimage exercise and was the second held under his leadership.
The Executive Secretary disclosed that the Commission airlifted about 40,000 pilgrims to the Holy Land in the past two years.
He expressed hope that pilgrimage would resume once relative peace returns to Israel and the Middle East, to enable Christians to pray for peace and for peaceful 2027 elections.
The retreat, themed “I Will Fight for You and Give You Rest,” was aimed at staff bonding, interaction and strategy for more efficient pilgrimage operations.
