Imo State Born Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Boss, John Kennedy Opara Sacked

Imo State born Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission  Executive Secretary, Mr. John Kennedy Opara has been sacked by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Aside heading the pilgrims commission, Opara is known to be a staunch ally and supporter of former President Goodluck Jonathan having played strategic roles in plans by the former president to be re- elected in 2015.

A statement by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the federation, Babachir David Lawal said the disengagement of Mr. Opara became effective on Thursday, 19^th May, 2016.

 Mr. Opara, according to the statement, was thanked by the President for leading the affairs of the commission in the last eight years and wished him well in his future endeavours.

In 2008, Opara was appointed by the Umaru Yar’ Adua 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.”



BY EZE EGEJURU

PHOTO: JOHN KENNEDY OPARA