The Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) has commenced the screening for intending pilgrims for the 2021 general pilgrimage and Easter 2022 exercise to Israel and Jordan.
The Executive Secretary (NCPC), Rev. Yakubu Pam, commenced the screening exercise on Tuesday, at the FCT Christian Pilgrims Board, Abuja.
Pam said the intending pilgrims would have to receive the first and second dozes of the COVID-19 vaccine before travelling.
He added that Nigerian pilgrims for 2021/2022 had the Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama as the spiritual team leader for the 10,000 intending pilgrims nationwide.
According to him, the 2021/2022 intending pilgrims would be the first to be airlifted to Israel and Jordan.
Pam said that the screening was mainly to check irregularities and ensure that those who travel represent Nigeria very well.
“Last year we had zero abscondment and this has boosted the image of the country,” he said.
He said that the Israeli government had made it compulsory for intending pilgrims from Nigeria to be cleared by the commission before being allowed into the country.
Pam said that the Jordan pilgrimage would address the issues of visa denial by the Israeli authorities, as affected persons would have an alternative to be in Jordan.
The executive secretary reminded the intending pilgrims that the trip was to transform their lives spiritually, as such should return home with best of characters.
He urged them to use the opportunity to pray for a successful 2023 General Elections, peace and unity of the country.
The NCPC boss said Nigeria would soon commence an exchange programme to promote agricultural initiative with the State of Israel as part of a bilateral agreement.
He expressed satisfaction that the Israeli authorities were favourably disposed to commence direct flight from Nigeria to Tel-Aviv during the pilgrimage.
The executive secretary promised that the activation of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the State of Israel was also discussed.
According to him, the Israeli authorities has stepped down a lot of COVID-19 protocols, to ease the processes of pilgrimage.
The Director FCT Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mr Dabara Vingo, said the screening was not meant to victimise any intending pilgrim, but to ensure adequate provision for their health and wellbeing.
“We intend to get health status of all pilgrims documented and provision for specific drugs and other amenities made available.
“We have a medical team on ground and we want to prevent emergency situations of lack, issues of death, ill health and mishap, we want a hitch free trip,’’ he said.
He said that the FCT would screen 350 intending pilgrims. (NAN)
