No Nigerian Pilgrim Will Abscond In Israel, NCPC Assures
The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has assured that no Nigerian pilgrim will abscond during the 2025 pilgrimage exercise in Israel.
The Executive Secretary of the commission, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, gave the assurance in a statement issued after leading a delegation comprising members of the House of Representatives and ground handlers to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a bilateral meeting.
The statement, signed by Mr. Celestine Toruka, Deputy Director and Head of Media and Public Relations at NCPC, made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, Adegbite explained that the meeting, held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Jerusalem, focused on strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and Israel.
“I am assuring that the Commission will maintain zero abscondment of Nigerian pilgrims in Israel and uphold transparency in its dealings,” he was quoted as saying.
He further expressed gratitude to the Israeli Ministry for its cooperation in ensuring a safe and secure environment for Nigerian pilgrims.
Adegbite also highlighted the unprecedented participation of about 100 members of the House of Representatives in the Executive Pilgrimage, expressing optimism that the initiative would become a recurring event.
According to him, the Director of the West and Central Africa Division at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tania Berg-Rafaeli, also commended the visionary leadership of the commission and commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.
She further lauded Nigerian pilgrims for their good conduct and pledged continued collaboration with the Nigerian Embassy in Israel and the NCPC to foster robust relations.
Berg-Rafaeli also hinted at a potential Bilateral Air Service agreement between both nations.
On September 7, the Commission, through its executive secretary Stephen Adegbite, announced plans to inaugurate the delayed 2025 Easter Pilgrimage exercise on September 14 at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri, Imo.
The commission had suspended the pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan over rising tensions in the Middle East.
No Nigerian Pilgrim Will Abscond In Israel, NCPC Assures is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
