The Executive Secretary Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, (NCPC) Rev.Dr, Yakubu Pam has said that the safety of the Nigerian Pilgrims would continue to be the top priority of the Commission.
He disclosed this on October 9, 2023 during an orientation programme organized for consulars and self sponsored intending pilgrims for the last batch of Easter pilgrimage completion exercise to Israel and Jordan.
He hinted that the fifth batch of pilgrims currently undergoing pilgrimage in Israel had successfully crossed over to Amman, Jordan and would arrive Nigeria today October 9, 2023.
The NCPC boss also revealed that he was reliably informed that some group of private pilgrims from Nigeria arrived Israel on 9th October to begin their pilgrimage exercise.
He maintained that the current fragile security situation in Israel is majorly being felt in Southern Israel which is not within our pilgrimage circle,
However, he assured them that their safety is of paramount concern to the Commission and that their pilgrimage Journey would commence on 10th October, 2023 to arrive Amman, Jordan on the 11th October, 2023 where they are expected to spend about three to four days before proceeding to Israel ,depending on the security situation of Israel by then. He explained that Jordan is blessed with a lot of biblical Holy sites which encapsulate the old testament while Israel represents the new testament thereby making the pilgrimage experience a complete bible.
He was optimistic that the last batch of pilgrims would be able to visit Israel from Jordan with the hope that the crisis in Israel would have de-escalated before then.
Rev. Pam cautioned the intending Consulars and self sponsored intending pilgrims to desist from you any negative tendencies that might affect the completion of their pilgrimage exercise. In his words , “the Commission would not hesitate to deport any pilgrim who plans to abscond during pilgrimage.”
The orientation programme for intending consulars and self sponsored intending pilgrims was held both in Abuja and Lagos. respectively the same day which was supervised by the Mobilization department of the Commission with a view to giving them the basic tips for the pilgrimage Journey.
