The service providers include air carriers and ground handlers among others.
The commission’s Executive Secretary, Samuel Adegbite, dropped the hint during a meeting he had with chairmen and secretaries of state pilgrims welfare boards on Thursday.
This was contained in a statement signed by the NCPC’s Deputy Director, and Head of Media and Public Relations, Celestine Toruka.
Toruka said Adegbite hinted that the commission would soon advertise its expression of interest in both local and international print media, for prospective service providers to bid for the 2024 pilgrimage exercise, stating that it is “no longer going to be business as usual, but business unusual” as openness and sincerity would be the hallmark of his leadership.
The statement also quoted Adegbite as charging chairmen and secretaries of state pilgrims welfare boards to see themselves as stakeholders in the progress of the commission.
At the meeting held at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, Adegbite said the leaders must play vital roles in the advancement of pilgrimage in the country, adding that they must see the exercise as a passion.
“Every year I go on pilgrimage something new must happen, therefore, let us see pilgrimage exercise as a passion and there is a reward for it,” Adegbite was quoted as saying.
The NCPC boss promised to carry everyone along in the discharge of his duties.
“As we begin our journey together, it is a new dawn; a new beginning,” he said.
According to the statement, Adegbite “affirmed that Nigeria is passing through challenges just like every other nation. But he urged them to continue to pray that the Lord would heal our land.
“He further urged them to rebuild their confidence in themselves because time is of the essence and life itself is ephemeral. He thanked them for the sacrifices they have made in the past and the ones they would make in the future.”
Speaking, the Chairman of the Conference of States, comprising chairmen and secretaries of states Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Rev Isaiah Magaji, congratulated Adegbite on behalf of his colleagues, on his appointment by President Bola TInubu as the fourth substantive Executive Secretary of the commission.
He further solicited the assistance of the NCPC boss in reaching out to the state governors on sensitisation drive, which would help in leveraging their efforts in the various states.
