NCPC ,GTJ FORM SYNERGY ON MORAL TRANSFORMATION AND DEVELOMENT IN NIGERIA

 Remi Oladoye

 

 National Christian Pilgrimage Commission NCPC  and the Guild of  Tourism   Journalists  Nigeria GTJ  has resolved to  be partners  in promoting peace and   moral transformation  in the country

Mr. John Kennedy Opara, Executive Secretary of NCPC

The resolution was made at a one day seminar  organised by the Guild of Tourism Journalists  held  at  Lagos   Airport Hotel Ikeja   on Thursday where the executive secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrimage  Commission  NCPC Mr John Kennedy Opara was the guest speaker.

  The  president of the  Association  Comrade Wale Ojo Lanre  in his address  informed the audience of the  readiness  of the  association to partner with any reputable  organisation   like NCPC in  promoting peace and  moral transformation  in Nigeria

 According to him, the challenges  facing Nigeria as a nation can best be tackled through attitudinal change of  the people , and  assured the   management  of the NCPC   which was lead  by the  executive secretary that Tourism  Journalists  which  aims and focus is to  practice  developmental journalism in the country will not relent  in  sensitizing the public  of the need to support NCPC and others  organization in their bid to promote peace in the nation
 In his lecture entitled “ Pilgrimage: a tool for National Peace Building  said  in any  modern  society, effective and  democratic media are essential  and indispensable  ingredient for peace  and  growth of the nation. He added that the need for free access to unbiased information is the key to peace building . “lack information  can at any stage make people restless, desperate  and easy to be manipulated . the ability to make informed decision  strengthen  societies and fosters economic growth, sustainable  democratic structures and good governance. For this every Nigeria must  act to take full advantage of the FOI act to bring to doorsteps on Nigeria Balanced news.”

 He said further that  Nigerians journalists must stay clear of  reproachful and  bias representation .” if democracy  is to work properly society needs access to news and credible information, media must also speaks against incisive statements especially from  eminent citizens .

 Speaking on the role being played the NCPC  in ensuring moral rebirth in the nation, Mr Opara said  emphasises that Pilgrimage is  not a jamboree  “ we are driving pilgrimage as a tool for moral transformation and spiritual rebirth. It is our belief that as individuals going on pilgrimage and encounter God, the pilgrim will in ripple effect positively influence  this lives of his or her family, the  society, and the nation at large. This will in no small measure help citizen to easily align to the government’s transformation agenda.”

While  assuring  that the commission will continue to partner with the media to take  Christian pilgrimage beyond its present level, , Mr Opara also challenged the  media to continue to play an active role is ensuring that peace  reign in Nigeria and urged that  religious  reporting must be done with caution.

Dignitaries at the occasion includes, Federal commissioners   for geo political zone  in the NCPC,  representatives of the  Chairman of Lagos Airport Hotel, media practitioners  among others.