The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has successfully signed an agreement with three Lottery operators for the Christian Pilgrimage Lottery Scheme.

The Chairman of NCPC, Most Rev. Nicholas D. Okoh, during the signing of the agreement, at the NCPC corporate headquarters Abuja, charged the lottery operators on the need to be accountable, sincere, and transparent in the discharge of their job.

He explained that the Lottery Scheme was important against the drop in oil prices and dwindling economy. He added that it is a way forward for the Commission.

He further explained that NCPC has entered into lottery in order to save the federal government the cost of pilgrimage, yet keep it alive.

In his words, “We have resorted to this as a way of creating more resources to keep pilgrimage alive”

He urged the Operators to put in their best and handle the job to the glory of God by being sincere, accountable and transparent. He added that what NCPC is doing should project greater sincerity than other agencies so that people will not find any justifiable reasons to harass the Commission.

In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary informed that both agencies: NCPC and National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) had met last year to sign an MoU towards the success of the Lottery Scheme.

He appreciated the DG of NLRC and his team for their encouragement throughout the process.

He pointed out that this is the first time a federal government agency would be engaging in a lottery process as this, thus urged the operators to be sincere and transparent in order to maintain the trust of the people.

He affirmed that the mission of the Commission is to reach out to souls and use pilgrimage as a tool for moral transformation and spiritual rebirth. According to him, ‘this is why this exercise is very key and important to us.

He urged all operators not to rest on their oars on this project as the Commission is using this medium as a tool to fight corruption in Nigeria.

He urged the operators to handle this project with a mind of positivity and possibility and choose carefully so that the lottery scheme will sustain pilgrimage and be of tremendous benefit to the commission, the federal government and the Nigerian people.  In his word, “who represents you showcases your identity”. Integrity is the bedrock of our assignment and we must understand that mutual cooperation is needed, he said.

He assured that his sensitization team will go round to sensitize churches on this project in order to propel participation.

The Director General of National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Mr. Adolphus Ekpe, described the lottery scheme as a Nigerian brand that should be embraced by all.

He encouraged Nigerian Christians to key into the scheme as lottery is part of civic responsibility and for every ticket that is sold; part of the funds goes to the federal government for the development of good causes.

The Operators who signed the agreement are: Fortune Games Limited, Give ‘N’ Take Lottery Limited and EMI Systems Limited.

Observers who were present at the signing of agreement include representatives from Civil Society Group and National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).