By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam has said that the Commission would commence and promote direct flight to Israel to curtail flight expenses and discourage abscondment by Pilgrims.
This was contained in a press release signed by Deputy Director/ Head Media and Public Relations of the Commission, made available to Daybreak today.
The release stated that Rev. Pam made this known yesterday when he received the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E Mr Michael Freeman and the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace Airline, Chief Allen Onyema in his office in Abuja.
NCPC boss said,” having a direct flight to Israel by a Nigerian Airline will reduce the cost of flight drastically and reduce the issue of abscondment.”
He said, ” our joy is that our own person, a Nigerian will be the first to have this opportunity to airlift pilgrims directly to Israel.”
Rev Pam hinted that by the end of November, next month, the inaugural direct flight from Nigeria to Israel would be launched.
He thanked the Ambassador for considering it imperative to pay a courtesy visit to NCPC for the first time, just barely nine months in office.
He said, ” we are very humble to receive you here in your capacity as one who represents the entire country of Israel in Nigeria.”
He affirmed that NCPC was set up primarily to coordinate and supervise the movement of Christians to Israel and other Holy Sites around the world.
He commended the Ambassador for his zeal and doggedness in charting a way forward for Christian Pilgrimage and lauded the Envoy for his network of relationship both in Nigeria and Israel.
The NCPC helmsman also commended the Chief Executive officer of Air Peace Airline for his sacrificial leadership and good humanitarian heart.
The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E Mr Michael Freeman thanked the NCPC boss for deploying all his energies in advancing the cause of Christian Pilgrimage in Nigeria.
He stated that he was very excited to work with NCPC, noting “we have a true partnership to grow together.”
The Envoy thanked the NCPC boss for his excellent leadership style and passion for Pilgrimage.
Chief Executive officer of Air Peace airline, Chief Allen Onyema reaffirmed that sooner than later history would be made in Nigeria with the inaugural flight , as he assured that the airline has the capacity to airlift Nigerian pilgrims through direct flight to Israel successful.
