By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, NCPC, Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam today revealed that the Nigeria – Israel direct flight would also include airlift of pilgrims from West African countries.
Rev. Pam disclosed this today in his office at the Commission in Abuja during a media briefing on the successful completion of the 2022 Pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan, adding
that the direct flight from Nigeria to Israel would start off under his administration.
He disclosed that so far, the Commission had airlifted almost 40, 000 pilgrims in the 2022 pilgrimage and that it is projecting that another 40,000 pilgrims wil be captured in the forthcoming Easter Pilgrimage expected to start towards the end of April 2023.
We have 2,000 pilgrims on the ground for the Easter Pilgrimage, he said.
He expressed the Commission’s appreciation to President Mohammadu Buhari for creating an enabling environment and for the support to ensure that the Commission moves forward.
He also expressed appreciation for the successful conclusion of the 2022 pilgrimage which ended which started in December 2022 and ended with the 10th batch of pilgrims on 10th, April 2023.
The Executive Secretary of NCPC also appreciation to the various state governors who sponsored citizens on the Pilgrimage and particularly the Muslims who sponsored Christians on pilgrimage to the Holy Lands of Israel and Jordan.
He said, ” Katsina, Bauchi, Anambra and Lagos State which showed that Christian pilgrimage is at their heart.”
He commended Imo State for sponsoring 1,000 pilgrims, noting that the South East is coming up with a wake-up call from governor Ifeayin Okowa.
Speaking on the development of tourism sectors between the Kingdom of Jordan and the Nigerian Government, he said that the two countries would soon start bilateral talks is underway.
Meanwhile, Rev. Pam said that the Commission has been able to curb absconding to almost zero level, through the cooperation of the staff.
He said, ” I appreciate my staff for ensuring a huge free pilgrim’s exercise and their role in monitoring pilgrims to ensure that absconding is reduced to the nearest minimum. He said that for anyone planning to abscond and the one or two who have stow away, their guarantors are under security detention now.
