Commission Seeks Speedy Visa Procurement For Christian Pilgrims 

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Yakubu Pam, has solicited for the assistance of the Israeli Embassy in the speedy procurement of Visas for intending pilgrims.
Pam made the call during a courtesy visit to the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, 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.
The NCPC boss  informed 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 the plans.
Pam thanked the Envoy for the cooperation and assistance that the commission has been enjoying, especially in consular services, as well as the robust bilateral relations between Nigeria and the State of Israel.
He described Israel as a critical and major stakeholder in the  Pilgrimage exercise, adding, “this explains why this was vividly captured in the establishment Act of the Commission.”
Pam added that Israel remained the fulcrum of the foundation of Christian faith and a major Pilgrimage destination of the Commission.
The NCPC helmsman noted that the relationship between  Israel and the Commission in Pilgrimage had existed for decades and would do everything possible to continue to strengthen it.

Speaking, the Israeli Ambassador thanked Pam for the visit and promised to always render assistance to the Commission for smooth Pilgrimage exercises.

He commended 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.

Freeman said the Israeli Government would soon sign a bilateral Air Services Agreement with a Nigerian Airline to enable it airlift passengers and pilgrims directly from Nigeria to TEL-Aviv.

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.

Freeman said the Commission would be making history with the commencement of direct flights to TEL-AVIV,  especially with a Nigerian airline.