By Joyce Remi- Babayeju
For the first time in the history of Christian Holy Pilgrimage, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC, Rev. Yakubu Pam has hinted that the Commission is set to mobilize at least ten thousand pilgrims to perform this year’s pilgrimage to the Holy land for the 2021 exercise.
Rev. Pam disclosed this during a four day retreat of the commission which started Thursday, 4th and to end Monday 8th November, 2021 at the Living Faith Church, Auta Balefi, Nasarawa state.
According to the Executive Secretary, the Commission has received an invitation from the Israeli government regarding the 2021 major pilgrimage expected to take place at the end of the year.
He revealed the Commission will make her position known to the Nigerian public after it had discussed the Covid19 protocol with the State of Israel.
“We have received an invitation to come over to Israel to discuss on this year’s Christian pilgrimage.
“I will not make any official statement now until we finish every discussion with them on the covid19 protocol.”
According to Rev Pam, the Jordan pilgrimage was a success and assured Nigeria pilgrims will be visiting both Jordan and Israel ” after discussions are held with the Israeli government.
He disclosed the 2021 staff retreat was aimed to prepare them for the task ahead considering the commission was set to mobilize ten thousand pilgrims for this year, describing it as “a major exercise”.
He said “the retreat is to fortify the gains of the Jordan trip which ended in September, 202” but however said, “the commission will continue to strive to maintain ensureeabscondment of pilgrims, a feat we achieved in Jordan September, 2021”.
The commission in July, 2021 performed the 2020 pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Jordan following the refusal by the Israeli government on covid19 protocol.
The commission said that it is however set to continue with the Israel pilgrimage which is a major event undertaken by Christians in Nigeria to holy sites in Israel on terms that will be agreed upon by both the NCPC and the Israeli Tourism Ministry when the meet soon.
