By Celestine Toruka

Last year, the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission entered into a novel synergy with the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) for the introduction of Christian Pilgrimage Lottery Scheme.
The synergy was crystallized on 9th April, 2015, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by both regulatory bodies which formalized the process and commencement of this noble project. Shortly after the formal signing of the MoU, an implementation committee was constituted to package and fine tune the scheme.

The Chief Executives of these two apex regulatory bodies are strongly committed to this cause as well as their management staff. The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), John Kennedy Opara and the Director General of NLRC, Mr. Adolphus Joe Ekpe, have met severally since the Mou was signed in order to actualize this laudable project in good time. The NCPC has relied heavily on the technical expertise of professional staff of the NLRC who joined forces with the NCPC crack team to drive the process.

Interestingly, this journey which started last year will soon snowball into  a scheme that Nigerian Christians will all be proud of. The coast is now free for the eventual take off of the new Christian Pilgrimage Lottery Scheme, Christened – WIN A TRIP TO ISRAEL.

The idea behind WIN A TRIP TO ISRAEL according to the NCPC boss, is to afford many Christians the opportunity to go on Holy Pilgrimage by paying a token to qualify for the raffle draw. This is of no cost to the federal government or the state government. Of course, the transparency of the entire process when fully operational cannot be compromised.

WIN A TRIP TO ISRAEL is an idea whose time has come, considering the stand of the present administration of cutting the cost of governance. With the coming on board of WIN A TRIP TO ISRAEL, the Commission will be able to generate revenue to sustain its operations and also remit 20% percent of the revenue generated to the federal government to fund other projects. For a scheme of this nature to be successful, the operators have very critical roles to play because they can make or mar the entire process, therefore, the operators must be transparent, experienced and have the financial might to drive the process.

NCPC and NLRC have concluded plans to ensure that WIN A TRIP TO ISRAEL is signed at the early part of February, while its formal launching will come up before the end of February, 2016, which will be done simultaneously in three zones of the country.

NCPC will stop at nothing to ensure that Nigerian Christians are well sensitized about the procedures so that every Christian is given the opportunity to participate.

Though some Christians may not be comfortable with the word lottery, but casting of lot is biblical. For instance, in Acts chapter 1 verse 26 the Apostles cast lot to chose a replacement for Judas which fell on Matthias. Lot was also used to transparently divide limited resources. For example, in Nehemiah 10:34, the priests, the levites and the people had to cast lots; also in chapter 11:1, lot was used. Lot or Lottery benefits the society, the individual, and promotes a cause, while gambling is consumed by the individual. So lottery is as old as man. It only becomes a sin if it is not transparent thus it becomes gambling where the winner takes all.

The Federal Government that sets up the NLRC appreciates the invaluable contribution of lottery in any given economy. The WIN A TRIP TO ISRAEL must be played by the rule and winners drawn through transparent ways.

Christians should embrace this new innovation as It will be affordable, transparent and accessible. The tickets will be made available in the churches and designated centers by the Commission as soon as it is launched. Though the cost per ticket is yet to be unveiled by the Commission, it will certainly be affordable.

The WIN A TRIP TO ISRAEL is not a new trend in pilgrimage sub-sector. For instance, countries like Niger Republic is already practicing it in their Hajj Operations so also are Morocco which is about starting theirs. The Government of Malaysia relies on Pilgrimage too for budgeting income. NCPC is on the threshold of breaking new grounds with the launching of this new scheme.

Presently, the Commission runs four pilgrimage programmes in one calendar year which are: Easter Pilgrimage – March to April, Youth pilgrimage – July, Family pilgrimage – August and of course the October/December main pilgrimage.

It is interesting to state that WIN A TRIP TO ISRAEL will cut across all the four pilgrimage programmes of the Commission within the same year, which presupposes that it is not tied to a particular programme depending on whoever emerges winner.

The Commission is poised to partner with the churches more than ever before this year through its sensitization programme of visitation to the churches. Its message of evangelization will centre on self sponsorship and self sustenance which will be driven through WIN A TRIP TO ISRAEL project.

So far, most churches and state governments have indicated interest to key into this new vision of the Commission. As the Commission begins its 2016 sensitization, with New thinking and New possibilities definitely this concept of`1 WIN A TRIP TO ISRAEL will be in its front burner.

Christians by this are now expected to make hay while the sun shines by massively participating in this programme of WIN A TRIP TO ISRAEL, as soon as it is launched. It is their own and it should be embraced.
A stitch in time, saves nine.

Celestine Toruka works with NCPC media unit Abuja