By Joy Odor | Abuja
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite, has been conferred with the prestigious Life Patron Award by the National APC Christian Leaders Forum of Nigeria, in recognition of his faith-driven leadership and contribution to national unity.
The award ceremony, held at the NCPC headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, brought together senior members of the forum led by its Director of National Planning and Strategy, Dr. Babalola Emmanuel, who represented the President, Prof. Abraham Olarewaju.
In a passionate address, Bishop Adegbite declared that “Nigeria is not an abandoned project”, describing the country as “the best nation on the planet.”
He emphasized the shared destiny between the Church and the Government, urging Christian leaders to strengthen collaboration in nation-building.
“The Church and the Government are intertwined. We must work together for the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda. Nigeria must work, and it will,” Adegbite affirmed.
He further praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he described as “the best President Nigeria has ever had,” rejecting narratives that cast him in a sectarian light.
“President Tinubu is not a religious bigot,” he said. “There is no Christian genocide in Nigeria. We must speak the truth and stand for unity.”
Turning to the role of women in leadership, the NCPC helmsman extolled Senator Oluremi Tinubu, calling her “a strong pillar for the President and the first ordained Minister of God to occupy the exalted office of First Lady.”
“She remains a beacon of hope for many and a champion of prosperity for all,” he added.
In his goodwill remarks, Dr. Babalola noted that the National APC Christian Leaders Forum, founded in 2019, serves as a strategic platform for mobilizing Christian participation in governance and political engagement across Nigeria’s 36 states and local governments.
“The days of apathy among Christians in politics are over,” he said. “After the power of God, the next power is political power. We must not shy away from it.”
He called for the NCPC’s partnership and blessing to strengthen the forum’s outreach and grassroots engagement.
The visit ended with prayers and re-affirmations of partnership between the NCPC and the Forum, as both bodies pledged to work together in advancing peace, unity, and spiritual renewal across Nigeria.
