The Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC Revd. Yakubu Pam has solicited the support of Israeli Embassy in the speedy procurement of visas especially for the 2022 intending pilgrims to Israel.
This was contained in a statement on Saturday by the commission’s Head, Media and Public Relations, Celestine Toruka.
Revd. Pam who paid a courtesy visit to the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Michael Freeman at the Israeli Embassy in Abuja, thanked the Envoy for the assistance 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.
He averred that Israel was a critical and major stakeholder in our Pilgrimage exercise which explains why this was vividly captured in the establishment Act of the Commission.
The Reverend added that Israel remains the fulcrum of the foundation of 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 to Nigeria, HE Mr Michael Freeman, thanked the NCPC boss for his visit and promised to always render assistance to the Commission for smooth Pilgrimage exercise.
He commended Revd. 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.
