The executive secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Uja Tor Uja, has urged political leaders to invest in the spiritual, political and economic growth of Nigerian youth by sponsoring them on pilgrimage to Israel.
He made the call Thursday in Abuja when members of the APC Grassroots Mobilisers paid him a courtesy visit at the commission’s headquarters to solicit sponsorship for members for pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Israel.
The NCPC boss also said “any nation that wants to make appreciable progress must accord youth their deserving place in the nation, as they are no longer the leaders of tomorrow, but leaders of now.”
Uja urged leaders to “invest on youths, women and rural communities; the three strategic groups that will bring development to the country.”
“Development is not all about blocks and bricks. It is about ideas; so state governments should sponsor their youths on pilgrimage for their spiritual growth. We have vibrant youth that can export ideas, not manpower. I want all Nigerian youths to visit Israel and see what God has done for them and then come back and invest in our country.
“In Israel, everything is produced by youths between the ages of 13 and 25. Therefore, our politicians should be exemplary by taking us forward, not backward. However, you should not go to pilgrimage with a mind of running away. With what the potentials and natural endowments God has blessed us, we can take on the world,” he said.
Blueprint reports that members of the group included the national coordinator, Henry Munachimso; national women leader, Gloria Udeze; national vice-chairman, Usongu Joseph; national youth leader, Solomon Sopuruchi; national publicity secretary, Nkem Lafia and national vice-chairman (South-east), Okpara Victor.
Speaking earlier, the national coordinator, Munachimso, said their visit to the NCPC headquarters was to request for sponsorship for seven members of the group, as they were desirous of embarking on pilgrimage to Israel, but lacked the financial wherewithal to do so.
