Buhari fires Kennedy Opara, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission boss

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), John-Kennedy Opara, has been removed from office.

A statement by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, said the disengagement of Mr. Opara from office as head of the commission became effective, Thursday.

The statement added that President Muhammadu Buhari thanked Mr. Opara for spearheading the affairs of the commission in the last eight years, and wished him success in his future endeavours.

Mr. Opara was appointed in 2008 by the Shehu Musa Yar’dua-led administration, for an initial tenure of five years.

He was reappointed in June 2013, after his first tenure ended, by former President Goodluck Jonathan for a second and final tenure.

He was removed from office two years before the expiration of his tenure in June 2018.

According to the law setting up the pilgrims agency, “The Chairman or any members of the Commission may be removed from office by the president, if the president is satisfied that it is not in the interest of the Commission or the public that the member should continue in office.”