The Government Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Fee, Rev Yakubu Pam, has stated that the continued battle between Israel and Hamas has necessitated the change from visits to Biblical websites in Israel and Jordan to websites in Greece and Rome.
Pam made this identified on Wednesday whereas addressing journalists in Abuja and emphasised that the safety and welfare of the pilgrims remained the prime concern of the NCPC.
He famous that the fee had suspended the December 2023 pilgrimage to Israel as a result of identical considerations, including that after a chronic look ahead to the Israel/Hamas battle, which started on October 7, to be over, he had personally led a analysis staff to evaluate and examine lodging services and present Biblical websites in Greece and Rome.
“I’ve led NCPC groups to examine holy websites throughout Greece and Rome. We’ve got mentioned extensively with authorities and native authorities and safety. Lodging and good hospitality are assured because the very first batch of Nigerian Christian pilgrims go to these locations to attach bodily with New Testomony areas of the gospel and do non secular workout routines, together with meditation and prayers for our expensive nation.
“Additionally, preparations for clean flight, good meals and native transportation have been concluded for the 2023/2024 fundamental pilgrimage; state governments, state workplaces of Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards, church buildings and people have been formally knowledgeable in regards to the modalities and the N3m value that solely requires some augmentation of fee beforehand made for the Israel/Jordan journey,” he stated.
Pam defined that the brand new pilgrimage websites will embrace locations the place Apostle Paul, in any other case often called Saint Paul, passionately unfold the teachings of Jesus Christ, changing polytheists and idol worshippers via intensive bodily journeys and memorable contributions that stay very vital elements of the New Testomony thus far.
The NCPC additionally acknowledged that the brand new N3m pilgrimage value protecting return flight ticket, resort lodging, three-course meal per day, and excursions of holy websites in government luxurious buses for six nights and 7 days, was unique of pilgrims’ travelling allowances whereas states and personal pilgrims had been anticipated to fulfill up with funds earlier than the final day of January 2024.
In the meantime, President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, authorised the appointment of 9 members to serve on the board of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Fee.
Tinubu’s Particular Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed this in an announcement titled ‘President Tinubu appoints new board of Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Fee.’
The brand new appointees embrace Colonel Aloche Adole as Chairman, Dr. Stephen Adegbite as Secretary, Mrs Omowumi Ogunlola as member, South-West, Clement Nweke as member, South-East and Prince Wosu as Member, South-South.
Others are Prof. Joseph Mamman as member, North-West, Dr. Toma Ragnjiya, member, North-East, Dr. Simon Dolly, member, North-Central and Raphael Nwankwo representing the Christian Affiliation of Nigeria.
In keeping with Ngelale, the President charged the brand new appointees to “contemplate their appointment as a chance to serve the nation and, as such, wholly commit themselves to this necessary objective.”