Commission solicits support for speedy procurement of Visas for intending pilgrims
By Margaret Tyam
The Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, (NCPC )Rev Yakubu Pam has solicited for the assistance of the Israeli Ambassador in the speedy procurement of Visas for intending pilgrims.
Rev Pam made this known in a courtesy visit to the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E Mr Michael Freeman at the Israeli Embassy in Abuja.
This is contained in a statement by Celestine Toruka
Deputy Director and Head, Media and Public Relations of the commission on Saturday.
The NCPC boss intimated his host that the Commission plans to continue its 2021 Pilgrimage exercise to Rome and Israel in October, and thus solicited for speedy procurement of Visas to help meet up plans.
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.
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 fulcrum of 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 do everything possible to continue to strengthen it.
Speaking, the Israeli Ambassador 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.