By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC Rev Dr Yakubu Pam yesterday paid a courtesy visit to the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, HE Mr Michael Freeman at the Israeli Embassy at Asokoro Abuja on 7th October, 2022 over the success of the upcoming 2022 Christian Pilgrimage to Israel.
The NCPC boss thanked the Envoy for the cooperation and assistance that the Commission had been enjoying, especially in the area of consular services as well as the robust bilateral relations between Nigeria and the State of Israel.
This was contained a press release signed Celestine Toruka, Deputy Director/ Head, Media and Public Relations of NCPC made available to Daybreak today.
Rev Pam averred that Israel is a critical and major stakeholder in our Pilgrimage exercise which explains why this was vividly captured in the establishment Act of the Commission. He added that Israel remains the epicenter and the foundation of our Christian faith and a major Pilgrimage destination of the Commission.
The NCPC helmsman further stated that the relationship between Israel and the Commission in the area of Pilgrimage had existed for decades and would he will do everything possible to continue to strengthen it.
The Christian Pilgrim Lead of the Federation intimated his host that the Commission plans to continue its 2021 Pilgrimage exercise to Rome and Israel on 16th October, 2022 and thus solicited the assistance of the Ambassador in the speedy procurement of Visas for intending pilgrims.
Speaking, the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, HE Mr Michael Freeman thanked the NCPC boss for his visit and promised to always render assistance to the Commission for smooth Pilgrimage exercise.
He commended Rev Pam for his efforts so far in repositioning the Commission and Christian Pilgrimage in Nigeria just barely two years in the saddle as the third substantive Executive Secretary of NCPC.
Ambassador Freeman hinted that the Israeli government would soon sign a bilateral Air Service Agreement with a Nigerian Airline to enable it airlift passengers and pilgrims directly from Nigeria to TEL-Aviv, Israel.
He canvased the support and cooperation of NCPC to make this new development possible as this would impact positively on the fortunes and progress of Christian Pilgrimage in Nigeria.
He stressed that the Commission would be making history with the commencement of direct flight to TEL-AVIV, Israel, especially with a Nigerian Airline.
The NCPC boss was accompanied on the visit by the Director of Operations, Mr Abu Okpanachi.
